CPA

CPA – The Community Preservation Act was signed into law in 2000. Its lineage goes back to the Nantucket Islands Land Bank – a program created by the Nantucket planning commission to preserve open space and scenic landscapes. The idea caught on and eventually became the CPA.

Getting information
The best place to get information about CPA if from the Community Preservation Coalition. Much of the information on this site comes from them. The full text of the CPA law can be seen there as well. Information about exemptions to the CPA surcharge are here and on the Middleboro town web site.

CPA in a nutshell
CPA allows communities to create a surcharge on real estate taxes of up to 3% per year. Middleboro is charging the lowest allowed level – 1% including a $100,00 exemption and allowances for low income and seniors with moderate income. Local money is matched by the state at some level. State money comes from fees assessed at the Registry of Deeds. In recent years the recession, declines in property values, and slump in the housing market has adversely affected the state match. Even with those negatives, the state match is around 50%.

Money raised in Middleboro – around $24 per year for the average home – goes in a special fund that can only be used for certain purposes:

• Purchase of open space
• Historic preservation
• Community housing
• Recreational assets uch as play grounds and sports fields

Open space, historic preservation, and housing each get 10% of the CPA funds. The remaining 70% can go to any of those uses or recreational projects.

Role of the Community Preservation Committee(CPC)
The local CPC consists of nine members. Five members are required by state law to represent the core interests of CPA. These five members are chosen by the following Middleboro departments and commissions:

• Conservation Commission
• Historic Commission
• Housing Authority
• Planning Department
• Parks Department

The remaining four at large members are appointed by a vote of the five required members and the Middleboro Board of Selectmen.

The local CPA committee reviews requests for CPA funds and recommends worthy projects to town meeting. Your CPA money can only be spent if approved by your vote at town meeting.

CPA history in Middleboro

Shortly after CPA was signed into law, a group of local citizens mounted an effort to pass CPA that was ultimately defeated. The group succeeded in starting a dialog about CPA and educating people on the need for CPA in Middleboro and the potential benefits. In 2009 and 2010 another group of citizens followed their lead and brought an article to town meeting on June 7, 2010 to have CPA put on the ballot. The voters of Middleboro passed CPA by a strong margin on November 2, 2010. Passed in the middle of the worst economic downturn since the great depression, Middleboro voters made a stunning statement about their committment to preserving their rural character, historic legacy, and providing housing and recreational opportunities for future generations.