Billerica CPC Unanimously Approves $451,067 Across Four Funding Applications

BILLERICA -- January 8, 2026, Billerica's Community Preservation Committee approved $451,067 across four unanimous votes at its January 8 meeting. The largest award, $250,000, went to the Billerica Recreation Center project to fund basketball courts and drainage infrastructure at the Vining site, with Recreation Director Dave arguing that leveraging contractors already on site would avoid higher future mobilization costs when the building wraps in September 2026. The committee awarded $45,000 to the Bennett Association to repair electrical and heating systems in the historic Bennett building following a fall electrical fire, with presenters Barry Andreason and Doug Marr describing the effort as a grassroots stabilization push after years of organizational dysfunction. Habitat for Humanity of Greater Lowell Executive Director Shayla Carlisle secured $120,000, one-third of the construction budget, for a single-family affordable home on Parkway Avenue, a lot the town awarded Habitat after prevailing in a two-year lawsuit; members backed local buyer preference for the eventual sale. NEMCOG Regional Housing Coordinator Christian received $36,067 for one year of affordable housing unit monitoring services, despite member Larry's concern that CPC funding could complicate future grant applications under anti-supplanting rules. The BMX track, represented by operator Adam, received a committee-amended $30,000 rather than the requested $67,093, with members citing the proportion of public funding relative to self-generated revenue and noting Adam can reapply for the remaining improvements, including a new starting gate, in a future cycle. Jane reported the CPC fund holds an estimated $1,198,601 through the end of June.