[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Meeting of the Town of Southampton as Art. XXXV of the General Bylaws; amended 6-13-2021 by Art. 9. Subsequent amendments noted where applicable.]
There is hereby established a Community Preservation Committee, consisting of nine voting members pursuant to the provisions of MGL c. 44B. The composition of the Committee, the appointing authority and the term of office for the Committee members shall be as follows:
A. 
A member of the Conservation Commission as designated by the Conservation Commission.
B. 
A member of the Historical Commission as designated by the Historical Commission.
C. 
A member of the Planning Board as designated by the Planning Board.
D. 
The Highway Superintendent, whose responsibilities include the duties of the Park Commissioner established under MGL c. 45, § 2.
E. 
A member of the Housing Authority as designated by the Housing Authority.
F. 
A member of the Finance Committee as designated by the Finance Committee.
G. 
A member of the Select Board as designated by the Select Board.
H. 
Two members at large elected for a term of three years.
[Amended 5-9-2023 ATM by Art. 31]
The Community Preservation Committee shall study the needs, possibilities, and resources of the Town in regard to the following areas as designated by MGL c. 44B: preservation of open space, creation and preservation or rehabilitation of land for recreational use, the acquisition and preservation of historical resources and preservation and support for community housing.
The Community Preservation Committee shall receive funding from a surcharge on local taxes and a yearly matching grant from an earmarked state fund under the supervision of the State Department of Revenue. Funds received are to be used in the designated areas and while they are under the supervision of the Community Preservation Committee may not be spent without a majority vote of a Town Meeting. Funds not spent each year remain with the community preservation account and do not revert to the Town.
The Community Preservation Committee shall hold one annual public informational hearing to inform the Town of the activities of the Community Preservation Committee and to receive project proposals accompanied by comparative cost estimates. A notice of the hearing shall be posted and published two weeks prior to said hearing. Boards, commissions, and committees of the Town and individuals are eligible to submit proposals at any time during the year.
The Community Preservation Committee shall comply with the provisions of the Open Meeting Law, MGL c. 30A, §§ 18 through 25. The Committee shall not meet to conduct business without the presence of a majority of its members. A majority vote is needed to approve all actions including forwarding projects to a Town Meeting vote.
All projects forwarded to a Town Meeting for final approval shall include the cost that will be determined by the Town's approved procurement process.
This bylaw may be amended from time to time by a majority vote of the Town Meeting, consistent with the provisions of MGL c. 44B.
In case any section, paragraph or part of this bylaw be for any reason declared invalid or unconstitutional by any court, every other section, paragraph or part shall continue in full force and effect.
[Amended 5-9-2023 ATM by Art. 31]
Provided that the Community Preservation Act is accepted at the 2001 Annual Town Election, this bylaw shall take effect upon approval by the Attorney General of the commonwealth, and after all requirements of MGL c. 40, § 32, have been met. Each appointing authority shall have 30 days after approval by the Attorney General to make its initial appointments.