GREENFIELD — The Community Preservation Committee voted to decline funding for three proposed projects this year — one for the construction of a greywater system for a proposed housing development at Stone Farm Lane, and two for the renovation and expansion of the city’s pickleball courts — while fully funding the remainder of project applications for $158,162.

The state Community Preservation Act allows municipalities to adopt a property tax surcharge of up to 3%, the revenues from which are matched by state funds. Greenfield joined the CPA in 2020 with a 1% local surcharge, allowing the city to receive state-matched funding for projects and initiatives related to housing, historic preservation, open space conservation and outdoor recreation.

This year, the Community Preservation Committee had $213,000 in available funds to disperse between 11 different proposed projects, which requested a total of $248,523. After declining $90,361 in funds for the three rejected proposals at a meeting Thursday evening, the committee holds $54,838 for its fiscal year 2026 allocations.

At a public hearing on Feb. 22, residents expressed an overwhelming support for projects related to affordable housing, including two submitted by the Greenfield Housing Authority to create additional units on Conway Street for $8,000 and to bolster the organization’s Security Deposit and Rental Assistance Fund for $15,000.

Economic and Community Development Assistant Christian LaPlante kicked off the meeting by sharing the results of a community survey, which showed that while the community listed Noble Home LLC’s $18,000 greywater collection system for its proposed 24-unit condominium development at Stone Farm Lane as a top funding priority, the committee rated it second to last on its list of prioritized projects. Community Preservation Committee Chair Susan Worgaftik, discussing the project, noted that it might not meet the Community Preservation Act’s affordability requirements.

“I’m concerned about making sure that this truly is affordable,” Worgaftik said. “Since we’re talking about it in terms of housing, as much as the experimental and the conservation aspects of this project are appealing, if it’s not affordable at 100% AMI or less, then we’re in a situation where that money has to come back to us.”

Greenfield Housing Authority Executive Director and Community Preservation Committee member Jack Redman echoed Worgaftik’s comments, noting that the project had not yet received Zoning Board of Appeals permits or secured the proper state financial support to develop affordable housing.

“Whether or not we like the idea or the experimental nature for what they’re doing, this is about producing housing, which is what the committee’s goal is, and that’s what we’re using the taxpayers’ money for. That part wasn’t sold to me,” Redman said. “In order to get something this affordable based on the construction cost, you already have a plan with the state, ‘We’re going for tax credits to fund this,’ and I didn’t hear any of that.”

Other funding projects that were close to the bottom of the committee’s list were two applications totaling $72,361 for the expansion of pickleball courts in the grassy area near Abercrombie Field on Montague City Road, and to construct climate change-resistant infrastructure at the existing pickleball and basketball courts at Green River Park.

Noting that the pickleball proposal was not considered a priority, either among the community at the Feb. 22 meeting, or in surveys, the Community Preservation Committee declined both projects and suggested that the applicants try again next year.

“I would move to decline just based on it being the lowest score between the committee and the comment rank,” member Peter McIver said. “It didn’t do well on the survey. I say we give them some comments so they can watch the meeting and resubmit next year.”

The committee voted to fully fund the remaining eight projects, including the Connecticut River Conservancy’s roughly $46,000 request for the rehabilitation of the First Franklin County Courthouse, a $17,178 request from the Franklin County Agricultural Society to rehabilitate historical agricultural structures and the Greenfield Public Library’s request of $7,000 to preserve historical materials in the library’s Local History Room.

While the Recreation Department’s request for $32,000 to install science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) play structures at Hillside Park remained the sole recreation project to receive funding, Greenfield Housing Authority’s $18,000 request to renovate and redevelop the Winslow Building at 9 Wells St. was fully funded, alongside the Housing Authority’s $8,000 request to build additional housing units at its Conway Street site and the Housing Authority’s $15,000 request to bolster its Security Deposit and Rental Assistance Fund. Pioneer Valley Habitat for Humanity also received $15,000 for the construction of an energy-efficient affordable home on Birch Street.

City Council is expected to vote on the committee’s recommendations for funding at its March 19 meeting.

Anthony Cammalleri can be reached at acammalleri@recorder.com or 413-930-4429.