HOLYOKE — The city is seeking a dedicated resident to serve as a community representative on the Community Preservation Community.
The volunteer position offers the opportunity to play a crucial role in the work of the committee.
The vacant position requires a community representative to be involved in committee meetings and help on recommending and overseeing the allocation of funds from the Community Preservation Act. The chosen candidate will collaborate with other committee members to review, evaluate and recommend projects related to affordable housing, historic preservation, open space and recreation.
The committee is structured with a total of nine people with six being appointed from various boards and commissions from the city. The named members come with specific perspectives and lens based on their role and expertise for the city.
Committee member and Ward 7 City Councilor Meg Magrath-Smith told Reminder Publishing it’s important to have the three other positions on the committee filled through community representatives as it benefits the public side in decision-making for the projects the committee chooses to fund.
“They are not from a board or commission, they are picked by City Council and the goal is for them to represent the community at large and to come with a wide lens or perspective across all categories so that they can really take in all the information that we’re getting around historic, housing, parks and rec and open space projects,” Magrath-Smith said. “Then they bring what they understand about the community to where we should prioritize, because we’re always going to get more projects than we will have funding available, so it’s important that we have people who can see where the gaps are and where we should prioritize.”
The committee shared that responsibilities for the position include:
- Attending monthly committee meetings and participate in public presentations.
- Review applications for the CPA funding and participate in the decision-making process.
- Work with various city/town departments, organizations and community members to ensure projects align with the goals of the CPA and the city.
- Assist in developing long-term strategies and goals for community preservation and resource allocation.
- Act as a liaison between the committee and the residents of Holyoke, ensuring the community’s voice is heard in the planning and implementation of CPA-funded projects.
Qualifications for the position include:
- A strong commitment to the community.
- Excellent communication and collaboration skills.
- An understanding of or interest in issues related to affordable housing, historic preservation, open space conservation, and recreational opportunities.
- Basic proficiency in or willingness to learn programs such as Zoom, Google Docs and Google Sheets.
- Residency in Holyoke is required.
The Community Representative is expected to attend one evening meeting per month and additional subcommittee meetings as needed. Additional time may be required for reviewing project applications, project site visits, community engagement efforts, and public presentations by applicants.
While it is a volunteer position, Magrath-Smith noted the position provides an excellent opportunity to contribute to the development and preservation of Holyoke’s character and is a chance to build relationships with local government leaders and community organizations.
Interested residents should submit a letter of interest detailing their background and why they would like to serve on the Community Preservation Committee. Applications should be submitted to the city of Holyoke personnel director at personnel@holyoke.org by Thursday, Oct. 24.
For more information about the Community Preservation Act and the role of the committee, visit https://holyokecpac.org/.
