1. The Community Preservation Act

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

4. 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

5. 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.

6. Maximum Incomes for Exemption One person in household Two people in household Four people in household Seniors (residents over 60) $56,000$64,000 Low- income residents $44,800$51,200$64,000

7. What does that mean for the taxpayer? Median Assessed Home Value $332,000 * With $100,000 exemption $100,000 Net House Value Surcharged $232,000 Municipal Tax Rate (per $1000) $ 14.07 _______ Amount Subject to Surcharge $3264 CPA Surcharge Rate 2% _______ Amount paid toward CPA Fund $65 Based on this scenario, $65 would be paid into the Community Preservation Trust Fund annually

8. Dunstable CPA Revenue and Surcharge Scenarios SurchargeCostAmount Raised With First $100,000 Exemption 1.0% $ 33 $ 36,744 2.0% $ 65 $ 73,489 3.0% $ 98 $ 110,233 Without First $100,000 Exemption 1.0% $ 47 $ 50,828 2.0% $ 94 $ 101,657 3.0% $ 140 $ 152,485

9. 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 After five years the Act can be repealed at any time using the same procedures available for passage of the Act.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.

10. Potential Uses of CPA Funds

11. CPA Housing For families and individuals earning up to 100% of area median ($80,000 for a family of four). 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.

12. 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

13. 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

14. Community Preservation funds may be used to purchase land, easements or restrictions to protect: 1. Existing and future water supply areas, 2. Agricultural, forest or coastal lands, 3. Frontage to inland water bodies, 4. Wildlife habitat, 5. Nature preserves, and 6. Scenic vistas. Also, land can be purchased for : 1. Active and passive recreational uses, 2. Community gardens, 3. Trails, 4. Non-commercial youth and adult sports 5. Use of land as a park, playground or athletic field. Open Space

15. Recreation

16. 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 )

17. 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

19. CPA Milestones 63 Adopting Communities 15-20 Communities voting in 2004 More than $100 million appropriated so far Nearly 550 units of housing created About 3,400 acres of open space protected More than 150 historic site preserved

20. For Further Information www.communitypreservation.org