PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Contact: Kevin Harutunian

December 1, 2016 978-605-2334

RE: BEVERLY CPA PUBLIC HEARINGSCHEDULED

BEVERLY – The City has scheduled a public hearing for Thursday, December 8, 2016 at 7:00 PM at in the Barnett Gallery at the Beverly Public Library, 32 Essex Street, for the Community Preservation Committee (CPC) to open its Round 4 Application process.

The CPC is responsible for implementing the Community Preservation Act (CPA) in Beverly and selecting projects for funding. Since 2012, the CPC has awarded, with City Council approval, more than $2.3 million dollars which has gone to support many worthwhile projects in three main categories of CPA – Open Space, Historic Preservation, and Community Housing.

These projects have included the renovation of Harborlight House, the acquisition of Camp Paradise, the restoration of numerous historic properties, and the restoration and upgrade of numerous parks and recreation areas across Beverly including the upgrades to playground equipment and restrooms at Lynch Park and new playground equipment at Dane Street Beach.

Mayor Michael Cahill said, “The Community Preservation Act provides support that enables the City to deliver on very worthwhile projects each year.” Mayor Cahill continued, “I am grateful for the Community Preservation Committee’s work, the City Council’s support and my team’s dedication to the success of the program.”

Wendy Pearl, Chairperson of the CPC, is proud of the role that CPC has played in financial support of so many worthwhile projects. “In many cases the community preservation funding is needed to get these projects over the finish line,” she said. “Without the investment from all of us, these projects might not happen.”

At its September 29, 2016 meeting Beverly City Council approved funding for the following 3rd Round projects:

  • City of Beverly Clerks Office for municipal document preservation - $50,000
  • Beverly Historic District Commission for survey of historic properties - $10,800
  • Beverly Emergency Management Agency for property recon for former Nike missile site - $12,000
  • Beverly Historical Society to create master plan to rehabilitate historic landscape and Hale Farm House - $60,000
  • Beverly Heritage Project for the restoration and preservation of the Powder House - $102,500
  • Beverly Harbor Management to perform beach and waterfront access improvements at Congress Street - $25,000
  • Beverly Recreation Department to renovate Pete’s Park - $75,000
  • Beverly Recreation Department to install new playground equipment at Vittori Park - $25,000
  • Beverly Recreation Department to renovate Oak Heights Park - $50,000

This year’s Public Hearing will include a brief presentation on the history of the CPA and how CPA Funding has successfully worked in Beverly. Members of the CPC will present highlights on the range of successful projects that have been completed or are underway, in part, because of CPC funding. The schedule for the Round 4 application process will also be presented during the Hearing and can be found on the CPC’s website.

Pearl stresses the importance of public involvement in the process, “The role of the CPC is to administer the CPA for the benefit of everyone in Beverly. The only way to know if it’s working is to hear from people – at our public hearing on December 8th, or at any of our public meetings. All are welcome.”

The CPC looks forward to a strong and enthusiastic turn-out at the December 8, 2016 Public Hearing. For more information, please contact: Amy Maxner, Environmental Planner – Planning Department, #978-921-6000 ext. 2344 or by email at

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