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To the Editor:

We thank you for publishing Josie Groves’ article on the complete renovation being undertaken at Prospect Hill Tower (“Restoring Prospect Hill Tower,” January 6, 2016).  The tower and the surrounding park space are vitally important historic monuments not only for Somerville, but also for Massachusetts.  Although the tower was originally built in 1903, the last substantive preservation of it was done decades ago.  Needless to say, it is long overdue.

However, it is just as important to know HOW and WHY the rehabilitation is occurring.  In November 2012, Somerville voters overwhelmingly supported the adoption of the Community Preservation Act (CPA).  The CPA establishes a small residential tax surcharge to be used exclusively for historic preservation, open space/outdoor recreation, and affordable housing in Somerville.  In addition, the CPA received state matching funds, and the Board of Aldermen appropriated additional money into the CPA fund.

In 2013, the City applied for CPA grants for the complete rehabilitation of Prospect Hill Tower and to redesign the adjacent park, along with applicants for various other historic preservation and open space/recreation projects.  After several months of speaking with applicants, residents, elected officials, business leaders, and community groups, including holding several well-attended community meetings, the Community Preservation Committee voted to fully fund Prospect Hill Tower and the park design.  The Board of Aldermen unanimously voted to accept the CPC’s recommendation.

We are thrilled to see CPA money hard at work, benefiting all Somerville residents in a very public, accessible way.  In 2015, we received 12 new applications.  We will again be holding two community meetings in early 2016, one was held on January 12th and the next one will be held on January 27th, at the Visiting Nurse Association at 259 Lowell St. at 6:30 p.m. for applicants to explain their projects and for the community to weigh in on where we should direct this money. This year, we have over $4 million to go to worthy projects.

Thank you, and we hope to see as many residents as possible at our upcoming meetings to give their valuable input on how we should spend YOUR money to benefit everyone in Somerville.

Sincerely,

Dick Bauer
Historic Preservation Committee representative, Chairman

Michael Fager
Conservation Committee representative, Vice Chairman

Michael A. Capuano
Planning Board representative and immediate past Chairman