October 26, 2017 Your Call to Service!
Would you like to help shape Boston’s open space, preservation and affordable housing investments over the next three years? Mayor Walsh and the Boston City Council are calling for applicants for four open seats on the new Community Preservation Committee, a group that will help review proposals for nearly $20 million each year derived from the Community Preservation Act.
In November 2016, Bostonians overwhelmingly passed the Community Preservation Act which mandates the creation of a 9-person committee that will decide the guidelines for projects considered and the levels of investment in them. Five of the positions will be appointed by the Mayor from City commissions and agencies. Applications are now available to be one of the four at-large community members. The makeup of this group will include:
- one business person
- one person with expertise in one of three areas (historic preservation, open space, or affordable housing), and
- two who have a background of civic involvement.
What is expected of these appointed committee members? First, members are expected to serve a volunteer, three year term, can only serve two terms, and must be a Boston resident. In the beginning, members will attend bi-weekly meetings, receive training from the Community Preservation Coalition and City, establish committee systems, and approve the first annual CPA plan. In addition, members will get input from City departments on projects and send recommendations to the Mayor and City Council for their approval. To be considered for a position, the online application can be filled out here, and must be submitted by November 9, 2019.