There's cash to be had through the Community Preservation Act for historical, open space and recreation and affordable housing projects.
It's up to the city's Community Preservation Committee to decide where that precious funding goes. There are now 11 applications before the committee and yesterday its members spent about three hours touring sites where money is being sought.
The projects cover a broad spectrum.
The Martyn Square Fountain hasn't been working in years and is almost totally hidden by a layer of rocks. Ward 9 Councilor Robert Logan has applied for $40,000 in CPA cash to restore the fountain, which was built in 1884.
Another stop was the Waltham Museum, where the city's Building Department asked for $275,000 to install an elevator and make other renovations.
The Waltham Housing Authority is requesting money to repair an old slate roof on one of its developments, which Housing Authority executive director Walter McGuire said had been leaking for some time.
"Every project is unique," said Bill Durkee, the manager for Waltham's Community Preservation Act program.
After a number of funding requests were approved last month about $7 million remains in the city's Community Preservation Act fund, which has accumulated through property tax surcharges and matching grants since it was approved by voters in 2005.
The largest funding request in this latest round is from the city's Planning Department, which is seeking $2.7 million for the design and construction of Waltham's portion of the Wayside Rail Trail that will extend from Linden Street to the Weston line.
The Planning Department has also asked for $400,000 to purchase property next to the Charles River to create a park.
The Waltham Historical Society is looking for $250,000 in CPA cash to renovate an historic building at 92 Felton Street where the group would locate its headquarters.
"They all seem like good projects, they all have their merit," said Rick Pizzi, a member of the committee, after the tour of all 11 sites was finished.
While all the projects may have value to the community, Durkee said the biggest challenge is to determine whether they meet the strict CPA funding requirements.
The committee will meet again on April 8 where they will likely vote on whether to approve funding for the applications. From there the requests would be sent to the City Council, which will channel them to its Long Term Debt Committee.
Richard Conn can be contacted at 781-398-8004 or rconn@cnc.com.
