Community Preservation Coalition Our mission is to help communities understand, adopt, and implement the Community Preservation Act www.communitypreservation.org 617-367-8998

Community Preservation Coalition

Local Partnerships The Taunton River Watershed Campaign is a partnership of organizations working to protect the unique natural resources of the Taunton River Watershed.

The Community Preservation Act Allows communities to establish a dedicated fund for: Open Space (and recreation) Historic Preservation Affordable Housing

Basics of the Act Local adoption needed Establishes up to a 3% surcharge on local property taxes Requires 10% to be spent on each of the 3 main categories Allows flexibility for spending the remaining 70% Not a permanent commitment Includes matching funds!

Exemptions to the CPA Surcharge Any existing exemptions apply to CPA. First $100,000 of property value – exempts the first $100,000 of residential property value from the surcharge. Low-moderate income – exempts any household that earns less than 80% of area median and any senior (60+) who earns up to 100% of the median. Commercial/Industrial – uncommon

CPA by the numbers (as of end of FY2007) 8377 acres of open space preserved Funding for over 1300 housing units Over 700 appropriations for historic resources Over 350 appropriations for recreation projects Half a billion dollars raised (surcharge + match)!

CPA Trends Recreation and housing growing CPA is an increasingly important source of matching funds for open space & historic grant programs Mixed use projects more popular *Communities using bonding capacity* *Non-municipal projects growing*

Bonding - A powerful CPA Tool 50 municipalities have bonded A total of 101 different projects Bonded total: $151 million Bonds issued in all four categories (majority in Open Space & Historic) (as of end of FY2008)

Funding to non-municipal groups Allowable under CPA Very popular; can be controversial Must demonstrate clear public benefit a. Deed Restriction, or b. Public Access c. Other public benefit -be creative!

Revere Bell, Plymouth

CPA Challenges Adoption patterns (Western Mass/Cities) Trust fund matching dollars Recreation category

CPA Trust Fund Trust Fund Revenue FY 2002 41.3 Million FY 2003 FY 2008 (est) $27.0 Million

Match Distributed Every CPA Trust Fund Match Distributed Every October 15 FY 2002 $17.8 Million FY 2003 $27.2 Million FY 2004 $31.4 Million FY 2005 $46.3 Million FY 2006 $58.6 Million FY 2007 $68.1 Million FY 2008 (est) $72 Million

Solution: Amend CPA HB 4820 More attractive adoption option for cities Increase trust fund revenue to guarantee a 75% match on first round Clarify recreation language

Agenda - Pipeline for day Workshop Session 1 – 70 minutes 10 minute break Workshop Session 2 – 70 minutes Optional Q&A