Learn about the CPA

One of the questions on the survey asked if Spencer should adopt the Community Preservation Act (CPA).

CPA is a state law that enables Massachusetts communities to add a property tax surcharge through a referendum, and access matching funds from the statewide Community Preservation Trust Fund. Local funds are raised through a voter-authorized surcharge on local property tax bills from 1- 3%. Municipalities that adopt CPA also benefit from funds from a yearly distribution from the statewide CPA Trust Fund. Towns can use this fund to preserve open space and historic sites, create affordable housing, and develop outdoor recreational facilities.

More information on the CPA can be found here: https://www.mass.gov/lists/communitypreservation-act) and https://www.communitypreservation.org/.

CPA Accomplishments To-Date

• 195 communities have adopted CPA (55% of the Commonwealth’s cities and towns)
• Of the total number of adopted communities, 35 are cities and 160 are towns
• 70% of Massachusetts residents live in a CPA community
• Over $3.15 billion has been raised to date for community preservation funding statewide
• 15,069 CPA projects have been approved by local legislative bodies
• More than 10,000 affordable housing units have been created with an additional 16,000 units supported
• 34,204 acres of open space have been preserved
• Over 6,700 appropriations have been made for historic preservation projects
• Over 3,300 outdoor recreation projects have been initiated