Wrentham Community Preservation Committee Announces Nearly $300,000 in Combined Funding

WRENTHAM — Town Administrator Kevin Sweet is pleased to announce that the Wrentham Community Preservation Committee’s first funding cycle is complete, with a total of $299,325 in available funds for certain projects in Wrentham.

The figure includes $251,502 in local funds raised from a property tax surcharge. The remaining $47,823 has been provided by the state as part of its Community Preservation match program.

“We are very thankful for the support of the state and its 19 percent match during this funding cycle,” Town Administrator Kevin Sweet said. “We are hopeful that in the coming years the state will be able to match even more funds.”

The state matched 19 percent of the funds each town raised on its own. It is funded by property transfer fees that occur statewide each time a property changes hands. The state match also was boosted by a one-time allocation in the recent state supplemental budget bill that allocated an extra $10 million to the Community Preservation Fund.

“The funding will allow the Community Preservation Committee in Wrentham to consider project proposals and we look forward to guiding the investment of this money back into the community in the months and years to come,” said Barry Kassler, Chair of the Wrentham Community Preservation Committee.

The Community Preservation Act allows investment in four specific project areas: community housing, historical preservation, open space and recreation.

Funding applications are forwarded to the Committee, by citizens or committees seeking consideration and approval, and then the funding is ultimately voted on at Town Meeting where residents have the final say on the use of any Community Preservation funds.

The Wrentham Community Preservation Committee has the application for funding available at the town website.

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