Regarding the Town of Clarksburg and the Community Preservation Act (CPA)
On the November 5 Presidential Ballot, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts has five questions which have been published by the Berkshire Eagle in the August 10-11 issue, page A8. On this ballot, there is also a question relating to the Town of Clarksburg. The language of that ballot question follows:
Shall the Town of Clarksburg accept sections 3 to 7, inclusive, of Chapter 44B of the General Laws, as approved by its legislative body, a summary of which appears below?
Sections 3 to 7 of Chapter 44B of the General Laws of Massachusetts, also known as the Community Preservation Act, establish a dedicated funding source to acquire and preserve open space, parks and conservation land, protect public drinking water supplies and scenic areas, protect farmland and forests from future development, restore and preserve historic properties, and help meet local families' housing needs. In the Town of Clarksburg, the Community Preservation Act will be funded by an additional excise of 3% on the annual tax levy on real property to be assessed beginning in fiscal year 2026, and by annual distributions provided by the state. EXCLUSIONS: property owned and occupied as a domicile by any person who qualifies for low income housing or low or moderate income senior housing in the Town, as defined in Section 2 of said Act, $100,000 of the value of each taxable parcel of residential real property, $100,000 of the value of each taxable parcel of class three, commercial property, and class four, industrial property as defined in section 2A of said Chapter 59. A taxpayer receiving a regular property tax abatement or exemption will also receive a pro rata reduction in surcharge. A Community Preservation Committee composed of local citizens will make recommendations on the use of the funds and all expenditures must be approved by Town Meeting.
What does this mean for Clarksburg?
Since 2000, the Community Preservation Act (CPA) has enabled Massachusetts communities to create a dedicated and locally-controlled fund for preservation of historic buildings and resources, open space protection and creation of affordable housing and outdoor recreation. There are 196 towns/cities in Massachusetts currently 1participating in the CPA. At town meeting in May, it was voted to include this question on the upcoming Presidential Ballot. In November, there are 11 cities/towns voting to participate in the CPA.
Approval of this ballot question would mean that a surcharge would be added to real estate tax bills, with exemptions for low-income residents living in their home or low-income senior citizens living in their home. The exemption would be applied for annually. All other real estate bills would be calculated, based on an over-the-board $100,000 exemption calculated based on the then-current tax rate. Examples of the low-income scales and various surcharges are attached. Clarksburg would be in line to receive 100% of matching funds annually. Once accepted, applications would go to a Community Preservation Committee consisting of 5-9 Clarksburg residents, who would identify feasible projects. Once that is decided, Town Meeting would be the deciding factor as to which projects to fund. It would be a fund “of the people, by the people and for the people”.