The Massachusetts Historical Commission announced that round 27 of the Massachusetts Preservation Projects Fund (MPPF) grant program has been scheduled, with an application deadline of March 19, 2021. Anticipated funding will be in the range of $800,000. The MPPF is a state-funded 50 percent matching grant disbursement program. Applicants must be a municipality or nonprofit organization.
Hull should apply for a MPPF grant for these reasons: to facilitate care and restoration of the Fort Revere Water Tower by leveraging funds allocated to pursue grant opportunities through the Board of Selectmen taking all steps and actions necessary, and by working with the Hull Historical Commission, in order to proceed to the awarding of a construction contract for repairs to the water tower with the goal of opening the observation deck to the public on a limited basis, as determined by the selectmen.
The Tower Preliminary Engineering Assessment Report to determine emergency and critical repairs, plans, specifications, and cost estimates has been presented. Let’s urge our town officials to not miss this opportunity for grant money to restore the tower as is (pre-existing, nonconforming, according to SOI standards).
Please repair the tower as a historically accurate restoration/preservation project respecting the original design of the first reinforced-concrete water tower constructed more than 100 years ago.
Also, let’s not miss out on any potential grant opportunities that may be available with a new administration in Washington inclined to pursue infrastructure and stimulus programs. Let’s learn the lessons from the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act program, which prioritized funding for “shovel ready” projects.
Patrick Finn
