The Community Preservation Act in Harwich – July 28, 2004

Who We Are Partnership of advocates for open space, affordable housing and historic preservation Worked for 15 years to help pass the CPA in the state legislature Helping communities to understand, adopt and implement CPA. The Community Preservation Coalition

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

MAP

Basics of the Act Local adoption needed Establishes up to a 3% surcharge on local property taxes Requires 10% of monies to be spent on each of the 3 categories Allows flexibility for the remaining 70% in each of the 3 categories Establishes a Community Preservation Committee

If you adopt the new bill: CPA surcharge will replace Land Bank surcharge CPA fund will replace Land Bank fund CPC replaces Land Bank OS Committee CPA funds may go toward bonds approved under Land Bank Act

CPA Revenue Current Land Bank surcharge revenue $820,000 Additional CPA state matching funds $820,000 Total Revenue$1,640,000 These additional funds come at no extra cost since residents are already paying the Land Bank surcharge.

Commissioner of Revenue Disburses Match (October 15th) State Matching Funds FY 2002 $17.8 Million Match Distribution FY 2003 $27.2 Million Match Distribution Fund balance is more than $110 million

Repealing the CPA The CPA must remain in place for the life of the Land Bank – until After that point, it may be repealed the same way it was adopted – Town Meeting vote followed by a ballot election.

Potential Uses of CPA Funds

Open Space Community Preservation funds may be used to: 1. Purchase land 2. Purchase easements or restrictions on land 3. Protect drinking water 4. Protect nature preserves 5. Restore polluted land to its natural state 6. Protect farms and farmland - APR

Recreation Land can be purchased for : 1. Active and passive recreation 2. Community gardens, 3. Trails, 4. Non-commercial sports 5. Parks, playgrounds or athletic fields.

CPA Housing For residents earning up to 100% of area median ($61,800 for a family of four, $49,440 for a couple, and $43,260 for 1 person). Units count under 40B so long as inhabitants earn less than 80% of median. Other features: -requires a permanent deed restriction -Subject to zoning -Local CPC screens and recommends projects; legislative body makes appropriations.

Historic Preservation Community Preservation funds may be used for acquisition, preservation, rehabilitation or restoration of a building(s) or real property that: has been determined by the local historic preservation commission to be significant in the history, archeology, architecture or culture of a city or town; or is listed or eligible for listing on the state register of historic places

Historic Preservation Restoration of historic municipal properties Adaptive reuse Environmental mitigation Grants to private non-profit groups, or individuals with a preservation easement

Community Preservation Committee Membership: (one from each) –Conservation Commission –Historic Commission –Planning Board –Board of Park Commissioners –Housing Authority Up to 4 additional members

CPA Milestones 65 Adopting Communities Communities voting in 2004 More than $115 million appropriated so far More than 600 units of housing created 4,000 acres of open space protected More than 140 historic sites preserved

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