At the monthly TRIAD meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 10, the H.O.P.E. Committee (Halifax’s Opportunity to Preserve and Enhance) Committee did an informational presentation on the November ballot question (#6) to adopt the Community Preservation Act (CPA). The CPA allows cities and towns in Massachusetts to create a local fund specifically for open space acquisition, historic preservation, community housing and outdoor recreation projects. Cities and towns that adopt the CPA also receive funds from the State’s Community Preservation Trust Fund each year for these same purposes. Currently 196 cities and towns in Massachusetts have adopted the Community Preservation Act. The presentation highlighted several impressive projects completed by area towns.
Based on currently available figures, with a 1.5% surcharge and the exemptions for the first $100,000 of residential and commercial property value, in addition to the low/moderate income exemption, Halifax would generate approximately $238,000 per year. This figure does not include the annual disbursement Halifax would receive from the state’s CPA Trust Fund, which would be in addition to the local CPA revenue raised. The annual cost to the average Halifax homeowner would be approximately $84 annually payable in two installments of $42 each.
For more information see H.O.P.E.’s website: halifaxmahope.org, Facebook: Halifax’s Opportunity to Preserve & Enhance- HOPE.
Please send any questions to hopeforhalifax@gmail.com