Project Submission & Forms
Town of Nahant CPC Application for Funding Process
The Community Preservation Committee (CPC) looks forward to working with members of the Town of Nahant in the development of projects to enhance our town with Community Preservation Act (CPA) funds. If you have a project idea, please educate yourself about the three CPA funding categories: Open Space/Recreation, Historic Preservation and Community Housing.
The Massachusetts Community Preservation Coalition has all this information, as well as inspiring project possibilities. By visiting the Community Preservation Coalition’s website at https://www.communitypreservation.org/, you can create ideas that work for the Town of Nahant using local CPA funding. The document “Is our Project Allowable?” is particularly useful and be accessed here: https://www.communitypreservation.org/allowable-uses
For ZOOM sign on information for any of the meetings listed below please visit the community calendar at nahant.org
- CPC Informational Meeting: The CPC will hold a meeting by ZOOM to introduce the public to the general CPA guidelines and grant process and to answer questions from the community on Monday October 26, 2026 at via ZOOM.
- Eligibility Application: All applicants must submit an Eligibility Application. This initial application will introduce your proposal to the committee so they can determine the projects eligibility and offer guidance. The committee may request that you present your ideas at a meeting. These deadlines may be waived if an unexpected opportunity arises with a narrow time window for closure. Deadline for consideration at May 2027 Town Meeting is: November 20, 2026.
a) Review Nahant Selection Criteria
b) Review “Is my Project Allowable” on CPA website
- Grant Application: The committee will notify the applicant of its decision by email. If your proposal is eligible, complete the grant application as soon as possible. Deadline for final grant applications is January 21, 2027 for consideration at the May 2027 Town Meeting.
- Review Process: The committee will review all grant applications and schedule a meeting to discuss each proposal publicly with applicants. These discussions may lead to the need for proposal revisions. The committee must vote to recommend proposals before they can be placed on the town meeting warrant.
- Town Meeting Approval: Each project must be approved at Town Meeting.
- Project Implementation: Funds for approved projects will be available in July 2027 following Town Meeting, subject to the satisfaction of any conditions or procedures established by the Committee.
Application Timeline for applicants seeking recommendation for the May 2027 Town Meeting Warrant:
- Public Meeting: October 26, 2026 at 7:00PM via ZOOM
- Application for Eligibility deadline: November 20, 2026
- Grant Application deadline: January 21, 2027
- CPC vote on projects: March 8, 2027 and March 15, 2027
Community Preservation Act Selection Criteria
The Community Preservation Committee requires that all proposed projects be eligible for CPA funding according to the requirements described in the state’s CPA statute. In addition, the following questions include the criteria, as applicable, that the Committee will use to assess proposed projects:
- How will the proposed project contribute to the preservation of Nahant’s unique character and enhance our quality of life?
- Is the proposed project consistent with town planning documents that have received wide input and scrutiny?
- Is the proposed project feasible?
- How “time sensitive” is the project? Is it urgent?
- Is the cost of this project proportionate to its objectives?
- In general, will the project serve multiple needs? Specifically, will the project serve more than one CPA category (i.e. affordable housing, open space, historic preservation or recreation)?
- Does the project have demonstrated community support?
- Will the project preserve currently owned town assets?
- Will the project involve the acquisition and/or protection of threatened resources?
- Will the project involve multiple sources of funding, or will it leverage other public and/or private funding sources or in-kind services?
- If multiple sources of funding are involved, are commitments from other sources documented?
- Will this project stimulate other public/private projects in Nahant?