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Community Preservation Committee

The Community Preservation Committee is established in accordance with Massachusetts General Law Chapter 44B, sections 3-7. The committee consists of 9 members. The members include an appointed designee from each of the following: the Board of Selectmen; the Finance Board; the Conservation Commission; the Planning Board; the Historical Commission; the Recreation Committee; the Housing Authority; the Open Space & Trails Committee and the Affordable Housing Task Force.

The Community Preservation Committee studies the needs, possibilities and resources of the town regarding community preservation. The committee consults with various agencies, organizations and/or individuals, and particularly those represented on the committee, in conducting such studies. The committee makes recommendations to town meeting for: the acquisition, creation and preservation of open space; for the acquisition and preservation of historic resources; for the acquisition, creation and preservation of land for recreational use; for the creation, preservation and support of community housing; and for rehabilitation or restoration of such open space, historic resources, land for recreational use and community housing that is acquired or created as provided in this section. With respect to community housing, the committee recommends, whenever possible, the reuse of existing buildings or construction of new building on previously developed sites.

WHAT DOES THE SURCHARGE MEAN TO TAXPAYERS?

To calculate the median CPA surcharge, first subtract the CPA exemption for the first $100,000 of the taxable value of a residential property, then multiply the remaining number by the recommended fiscal year tax rate per $1,000 of value. Then multiply that number by .030 (3% surcharge) and you get the CPA surcharge amount.

Example:

Assessed Home Value is $800,000.

Subtract the first $100,000 (residential only) for the CPA exemption. Net value is now $700,000.

Multiply the net value by the fiscal year tax rate/$1,000: $700,000 X 0.01313 = $9,191.

Multiply the net tax by the surcharge rate: $9,191 X .03 = $275.73

The CPA Surcharge would be $275.73.

WHERE DO THE CPA FUNDS COME FROM?

The funds available for spending each fiscal year are a combination of three sources:

1) Projected Fund Revenues for the Upcoming Fiscal Year – Projected fund revenues are made up of the funds collected from the 1.5% surcharge on all real estate property tax bills and the State matching funds collected from existing surcharges on all real estate transactions at the Registry of Deeds and Land Court. These funds are termed as “projected” because the final numbers are not available until October or November of each year. 

2) Undesignated Fund Balance – These are funds which were collected in previous years but never allocated. Where did this money come from? Usually an undesignated fund balance represents either unanticipated additional interest received on CPA fund accounts or the receipt of more State matching funds or surcharge tax revenues than were originally anticipated.

3) Reserve Funds – These are funds which were approved at previous Town Meetings to be set aside for future projects in Community Housing, Historic Preservation, and/or Open Space.