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The Community Preservation Act (CPA) is a state law passed in 2000 which provides a locally-controlled source of money that towns can use for…
- creating and rehabilitating recreational facilities
- preserving historic buildings and resources
- supporting local affordable housing development
- protecting open space
To fund the CPA, we'll need to approve a small surcharge on our property taxes
How much would this cost? Here are examples of a 3% annual surcharge, based on a property owner's assessed property value:
| $200,000 |
$59 |
$350,000 |
$147 |
| $250,000 |
$88 |
$400,000 |
$177 |
| $300,000 |
$118 |
$450,000 |
$206 |
Under the proposed bylaw, every property would have the first $100,000 of valuation deducted before applying the tax. And, low income residents and seniors can apply to be fully exempted from the surcharge.
The CPA is popular because it’s a great way to support community projects that benefit all, at a relatively minimal cost to any one household.
A town can choose from 0.5% up to 3%; but 3% gets us the highest state match, likely 100%, and collects enough to do substantive projects, ~$70,000 - $100,00 per year after exemptions.
Is the CPA worth it? Find out more - the voters decide!
- Attend a public information session at the Central school on March 16th at 5pm - pizza served!
- Read the flyer here
- See the slideshow here
- Go to the website to find out what your surcharge would be, based on your own property valuation.
Almost 200 communities in Massachusetts have adopted CPA, including Conway, Deerfield, Greenfield, Northfield, Leverett, Shutesbury, Sunderland, Whately, and last year, Shelburne.
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