Land Use Planning & Zoning

Commonwealth Capital Applications

Project Overview

Since 2005, the FRCOG has assisted twenty-one Franklin County towns with completing their Commonwealth Capital applications.  Under the Commonwealth Capital policy which started in 2004, communities seeking funding through a number of state programs are required to complete a Commonwealth Capital application in addition to an application for the specific program.  For Fiscal Year 2008, there are eleven funding programs which require the Commonwealth Capital application. These programs are run through the Executive Office of Transportation (EOT), the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD), the Executive Office of Energy & Environmental Affairs (EEA), and the Executive Office of Administration and Finance (EOAF).  The programs include the Smart Growth Technical Assistance Program (EEA), the Self-Help and Urban Self-Help Programs (EEA), the Drinking Water Supply Protection Program (EEA), and the Public Works Economic Development Program (EOT), the Community Development Action Grant Program (DHCD), among others.  The Commonwealth Capital application gives communities points for specific activities or policies which are considered to promote smart growth and sustainable development.  A town’s Commonwealth Capital score is considered along with their program specific application to determine whether the town will receive requested funding.  For more information on the Commonwealth Capital program visit www.mass.gov and search for Commonwealth Capital.

Current Activities

During FY 2008, the FRCOG has provided technical assistance to Erving and Orange to update their Commonwealth Capital applications and can assist other towns upon request to modify or update their applications.  FRCOG planners discuss the Commonwealth Capital application with town staff, help gather town data and related documentation, draft the application’s supporting text, and prepare the online application for submittal.  Once the applications have been completed, the FRCOG offers additional assistance as necessary as towns request corrections or updates to their Commonwealth Capital scores.

Future Plans

The FRCOG expects to help Franklin County towns with their Commonwealth Capital applications in future years.  The FRCOG will also to continue to advocate on behalf of our towns for changes to the Commonwealth Capital program to recognize the important smart growth policies being enacted by towns in Franklin County, and to reduce the challenges that rural communities face in meeting the Commonwealth Capital program requirements and in competing for funding against larger suburban and urban communities.

This page was last updated on 03/03/2008 .

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