The Community Preservation Act in Sutton – May 27, 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

Exemptions to the 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.

Maximum Incomes for Exemption One person in household Two people in household Four people in household Seniors (residents over 60) $48,510$55,440 Low- income residents $33,808$44,352$55,440

What does that mean for the taxpayer? Median Assessed Home Value $248,000 * With $100,000 exemption $100,000 Net House Value Surcharged $148,000 Municipal Tax Rate (per $1000) $ _______ Amount Subject to Surcharge $1823 CPA Surcharge Rate 2% _______ Amount paid toward CPA Fund $36 Based on this scenario, $36 would be paid into the Community Preservation Trust Fund annually

Sutton CPA Revenue and Surcharge Scenarios SurchargeCostAmount Raised With First $100,000 Exemption 1.0% $ 18 $ 66, % $ 36 $ 133, % $ 55 $ 199,959 Without First $100,000 Exemption 1.0% $ 31 $ 103, % $ 61 $ 207, % $ 92 $ 310,765

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

Amending or Repealing the CPA The CPA must remain in place for at least five years. After five years the Act can be repealed at any time using the same procedures available for passage of the Act. Amendments to the surcharge percentage or the authorized exemptions can be made at any time using the same procedures available for passage of the Act.

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

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 Capital improvements to existing sites Reversal of historically inappropriate alterations Environmental mitigation Signage Grants to private non-profit groups, or individuals with a preservation easement

CPA Housing Income limits for recipients ($69,300 for a family of four). Units can count towards 40B requirement Protected forever Can build new homes or convert existing Can help people buy homes or rent them

Recreation Also, 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.

Community Preservation Committee Membership: (one from each) –Conservation Commission –Historic Commission –Planning Board –Board of Park Commissioners –Housing Authority Bylaw or Ordinance specifies: –Method of selection (elected, appointed) –Length of term –Number of members (5-9 )

CPA Milestones 65 Adopting Communities Communities voting in 2004 More than $110 million appropriated so far Nearly 550 units of housing created About 4,000 acres of open space protected More than 140 historic sites preserved

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