With applications in hand, proponents of affordable housing, open space, and historic preservation projects came before the Community Preservation Committee last night seeking their slices of an $8.4 million pie.
Waltham Housing Director Janet Barry wants $300,000 for the city's Down Payment Assistance Program she says could help realize the dreams of first-time homebuyers. City Clerk Russ Malone is asking for $200,000 to preserve and protect city documents.
All told the committee heard from about a dozen applicants with proposals for spending the city's Community Preservation Act fund. The money has been accumulating through property tax surcharges and matching state grants since city voters approved the act in November 2005.
Barry said some of the money could supplement the city's federally funded program to help first-time homebuyers. The program, she said, provides 17 percent of the purchase price for single-family homes and condominiums in Waltham to income-qualified candidates.
"We have a waiting list of clients," said Barry, adding that $300,000 could help four to six families waiting to buy.
William Durkee Jr., CPA fund manager, said committee members will be ready to award money to the projects detailed last night at the committee's next meeting on Jan. 8.
Holding up a folder partially covered in mold, the city's clerk said funding is desperately needed to preserve nearly a half-million documents currently stored in a basement vault. Malone applied for $200,000 to scan and digitally store aging birth, death, and marriage records and make upgrades to the vault where hard copies are kept.
"We have a messy situation and we have to act on it posthaste,"Malone said.
The Waltham Alliance to Create Housing is asking for $360,000 toward an affordable housing project at the former Beacon Valve Co. on Jackson Street. Steve Laferriere, director of housing development, said the nonprofit is in the process of purchasing the deserted factory to convert the property into six affordable two-bedroom townhouses.
"It's become sort of an eyesore in the neighborhood," said Laferriere, adding that the project site is in a residential area and neighbors want to see the factory building converted into a property that fits into the character of the neighborhood.
Ann Clifford, curator for Stonehurst, the Robert Treat Paine Estate, requested $111,500 to help the city get under way with major renovations including an elevator, bathroom upgrades, and exterior restorations to the 120-year-old historic home. Clifford said the property, surrounded by 109 acres of conservation land, is an excellent candidate for Community Preservation Act money.
Ward 2 City Councilor Edmund P. Tarallo talked to the committee about his $750,000 request to help the city purchase parcels surrounding Hardy Pond. Tarallo said the city must act to protect properties around the pond that are in danger of foreclosure from possible development.
"(The parcels) would be a great asset to have as a buffer around Hardy Pond," Tarallo said. "This is part of a process ... significant in terms of protecting Hardy Pond for the future."
City Planner Ted Fields and Ward 8 City Councilor Stephen F. Rourke came before the committee requesting $24,500 to fund a study for recreational uses for a former landfill on Woerd Avenue. Rourke said he would be requesting a zone change in City Council to make the 7-acre lot conducive to conservation and recreation uses.
Committee members last night agreed to go on site views for the proposals on Jan. 7 before the Jan. 8 meeting. The committee will send its recommendations of approval or denial to the City Council and councilors will then vote on releasing CPA money.
Nicole Haley can be reached at nhaley@cnc.com or 781-398-8004.
