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THE COMMITTEE * Marilee Kenney
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in Bridgewater, Massachusetts |
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The Community Preservation Act (CPA) is a state-authorized funding mechanism for local open space, historic preservation, and affordable housing initiatives. Local approval of the Community Preservation Act would allow Bridgewater to raise revenues through a surcharge on property tax bills, which will be matched by a dedicated state fund. The Local Community Preservation Fund can then be used to pay for eligible local projects. |
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The following question was on the April 23, 2005 Annual Town Election Ballot and approved.
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Summary: Sections 3 to 7 of Chapter 44B of the General Laws of
Massachusetts, also known as the Community Preservation Act, establish a
dedicated funding source to acquire and preserve open space, parks, and
conservation land, protect public drinking water supplies and scenic
areas, protect farmland and forests from future development, restore and
preserve historic properties, and help meet local families’ housing needs.
In Bridgewater, the Community Preservation Act will be funded by an
additional surcharge of 2% on the annual property tax assessed on real
property beginning in the 2006 Fiscal Year, and by matching funds provided
by the state. The following exemptions shall be permitted: 1) Property owned and occupied as a domicile by any person who qualifies for low-income housing or low or moderate-income senior housing in the Town, as defined in Section 2 of said Act; 2) $100,000 of the value of each taxable parcel of residential real property. Any other taxpayer receiving a regular property tax abatement or exemption will also receive a corresponding full or partial reduction in the surcharge. A Community Preservation Committee will be established by local bylaw to study community preservation resources, possibilities, and needs and to make recommendation to Town Meeting, which approves any spending of Community Preservation Act funds. At least 10% of the funds for each fiscal year will be spent or reserved for later spending on each of the Act’s three community preservation purposes: open space, historic resources, and affordable housing. |
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