Chair Sally Underwood-Miller called the meeting to order and began with a request. She noted every year the amount granted from the state is less. She anticipated that the trend would continue.
The available funds for FY26 are anticipated to be $238,255.00 with the state match. Due to fiscal conservatism and forethought, there are additional funds available from the CPA undesignated funds, $514,252.44. She recommended the Committee be cautious in releasing those funds given the uncertainty of future funding. The Chair asked the members of CPC to vote to set aside $300,000 in undesignated funds for future use. Passed unanimously. Voted a small raise for Ericka Olesen, CPC Administrator. Passed unanimously. The current amount of funding available, therefore , was roughly half of the total requested. The recommended awards were as follows:
Request from Afford. H. Trust $200,000 for “general funding” suggested award postponed
Request from Construct $185,788 screens and siding suggested award $109,044
Request Berkshire Waldorf HS $128,335 ADA exterior ramp suggested award $ 45,000
Request from Cemetery Comm. $45,000 Hearse House suggested award $20,000
Request from Cemetery $20,000 for restore Eliz. Wesat stone reissue unexpended funds returned to CPC
Request from Chesterwood (?) $25,000 for garden restoration suggested award $12,500
Request from Congregational $100,000 community room and kitchen suggested award $0
Request from Norman Rockwell Museum $40,000 slate roof suggested award $30,000
Request from Stockbridge Library $11,905 portrait of Agrippa Hull suggested award $11,000 Request from Town $18,500 create and place bronze markers suggested award 0
Request from Town $27,500 produce video for ADA/Ice Glen tour suggested award $22,500
Request from Council on Aging $45,000 for a pavilion suggested award $45,000
Request from Heaton Court $5000 for flower beds suggested award $5000
Request from Town for $33,500 for Rev War Memorial suggested award $33,500 and $3,400 Rev War additional suggested award $3,400
Request from Gould Meadows Com for $2,000 removal/invasives suggested award $2000 and $3600 tree removal and bench suggested award $3600 $10,000 (does not indicate what this is for?)
Requests approx. $1.1million
Suggested awards approx. $452,000
It was decided to meet again on February 6 to resolve the Affordable Housing Trust request. It differs in that it was large ($200,000) and that it was for “general funding. ” The CPC Administrator explained it this way, “Most CPC projects are just that – 1 specific project… the Affordable Housing Trust is awarded funds for a more general purpose so the board may request a more detailed list of expenditures and projects funded but some discussion should help clarify the expectations going forward.” The second meeting will also allow time for then AHT to submit the required report for expenditures to date from $250,000 already awarded
