The Community Preservation Actin Topsfield – August 31, 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

Basics of the ActBasics 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

• Includes matching funds!

Exemptions to the CPAExemptions 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 ExemptionMaximum Incomes for Exemption

One person in

household

Two people in

household

Four people in household

Seniors (residents over 60)

$57,820 $66,080

Low-income residents

$46,256 $52,864 $66,080

What does that mean for the taxpayer?What does that mean for the taxpayer?

Median Assessed Home Value $468,000* With $100,000 exemption $100,000Net House Value Surcharged $368,000Municipal Tax Rate (per $1000) $ 12.20

_______Amount Subject to Surcharge $4490CPA Surcharge Rate 3%

_______Amount paid toward CPA Fund $135

Based on this scenario, $135 would be paid into the Community Preservation Trust Fund annually

CPA RevenueCPA Revenue

Based on Topsfield’s 3% surcharge and the included exemptions, the town will collect about $300,000 annually. This amount does not

include the state matching funds.

Commissioner of RevenueDisburses Match

(October 15th)

State Matching FundsState 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 CPAAmending 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• After five years the Act can be repealed at any time using the same procedures available for passage of the Act.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 FundsPotential Uses of CPA Funds

Historic PreservationHistoric 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 PreservationHistoric 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

Open SpaceOpen 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

RecreationRecreation

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 HousingCPA Housing

• For families and individuals earning up to 100% of area median ($82,600,000 for a family of four, $66,080 for a couple, $57,820 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- All projects are approved locally

Community PreservationCommunity Preservation Committee Committee

• Membership: (one from each)– Conservation Commission– Historic Commission– Planning Board– Board of Park Commissioners– Housing Authority

Up to 4 additional members

Community Preservation Act Funding in FY 2002-2005

$-$2,000,000

$4,000,000$6,000,000

$8,000,000$10,000,000

$12,000,000$14,000,000

$16,000,000$18,000,000

$20,000,000

FY 2002 FY 2003 FY 2004 FY 2005

Recreation

Historic

Open Space

Housing

CPA MilestonesCPA Milestones

• 65 Adopting Communities

• 12-15 Communities voting in 2004

• More than $116 million appropriated so far

• More than 620 units of housing created

• More than 4,000 acres of open space protected

• More than 150 historic sites preserved

For Further InformationFor Further Information

www.communitypreservation.org