ROCKPORT — The Community Preservation Committee is weighing nine applications for funding, including money for repairs to Thacher Island’s South Tower, the town’s historic record preservation, and the Old First Parish Burial Ground restoration.
Meeting on Monday, Feb. 9, the committee heard from some article proponents regarding their project proposals.
Chair Ruth George detailed the nine applications — with three repeat applicants given a close look.
George said the process leading to the committee making final recommendations for funding at this fall’s Special Town Meeting, on Sept. 14, is comprehensive.
“This is the 22nd year we’ve been able to give money toward projects,” she said. “It’s very detailed. In the next few months, we’ll interview the other candidates. We have to eventually interview all nine (of the applicants).”
The three applications outlined last Monday were:
— Thacher Island’s South Tower. The Thacher & Straitsmouth Islands Association is seeking $200,000 for work to be done as part of Phase 2 at Thacher Island’s South Tower. The tower was built in 1860.
The group’s William Whiting said the request represents the third installment for a five-year plan to restore the tower that asks for $200,000 each year. The total cost of the project, he said, should range between $1.9 million and $2 million.
“Hopefully, the town would approve $200,000 every year,” Whiting said.
So far, Whiting said a total of $963,000 has been raised for the effort.
— Historic records preservation. Town Clerk Melanie Waddell is requesting $100,000 to preserve historic and vital town records.
“We’re trying to look at the oldest records that we have that are most at risk and needing protection,” Waddell told committee members.
Waddell said it is critical to have many of the town’s historic papers rebound and placed in archival books.
“I’m at the point now where I’m going to have to do a request for proposals,” she said, adding she plans to continue meeting with Rob Craig, the town’s special grants and projects manager regarding the project.
“With an additional $100,000, not only would I be able to complete the first possibly 27 volumes, but get started working on additional volumes,” Waddell said.
The storage plans for materials to be preserved has been overseen by Town Administrator Mitch Vieira, Waddell said.
“He’s the one who is coordinating that plan,” she said. “I do believe I’m going to be getting some space in the vault and in the Town Hall Annex.”
— Old First Parish Burial Ground restoration. Sandy Bay Historical Society’s Rich Fitzpatrick and Paige Eaton presented the group’s $87,800 proposal for the Burial Ground at 8 Beach St. This year marks the second year for the project.
“I’m here to support and let the board know that the Sandy Bay Historical Society stands behind this project,” Eaton said.
For his part, Fitzpatrick said the society was petitioning for the money to finish the project.
“We’re grateful to the CPC and the town of Rockport for granting us $62,200 to be used in that initial restoration,” Fitzpatrick said. More than $30,000 of that original grant went to restoration expert Rob Surabian of the company Graveside Restoration, he said. Surabian is repairing headstones and other structures at the Old First Parish Burial Ground.
“We’re very, very pleased with the work that he’s doing and we’d like to continue with him as well,” Fitzpatrick said.
The project calls for reconditioning the burial ground’s estimated 542 headstones, adding of signage and landscaping improvements, and refurbishing its Hearse House. Officials have predicted the work will be completed in 2027.
— Other projects seeking funding are:
— Pigeon Cove Veterans Memorial, $8,500.
— Treescape Restoration Project, $315,000.
— Restoring tercentenary markers, located near the Historic Commission, $50,000.
— Affordable housing development for the Housing Trust, $500,000.
— Pigeon Cove Chapel Historic Steeple Restoration, $103,584.
— Beach Wheelchair Project, $15,000.
“So, we have a nice assortment of some previous applications and some new applications,” George said.
Stephen Hagan can be reached at 978-675-2708 or at shagan@gloucestertimes.com.