Changes are underway for some of the CPA forms that communities must file annually with the state Department of Revenue (DOR). The DOR recently issued revisions for both the Community Preservation Surcharge Report (Form CP-1) and the Community Preservation Fund Annual Report (Form CP-2). A more substantial change is in store for the CP-3, the form that lists all the CPA projects approved by the legislative body of a CPA community in a given year. The CP-3 will be moving online, facilitating entry and correction of CPA project information, and ultimately resulting in an easily accessible, statewide database of approved CPA projects.

One of the most common questions we receive on The Coalition's technical assistance hotline is whether the state's procurement and prevailing wage laws apply to CPA projects, particularly grants to private groups. The answer may not always be straightforward, since many projects involve unique circumstances, but this article provides some general information to help guide you on this issue.

When might procurement and prevailing wage laws apply to CPA projects? Does it matter if a private organization is orchestrating the project?

Does your CPC need help with technical or other aspects of an historic rehabilitation project? Perhaps you want to understand whether a proposed CPA project is in keeping with the Secretary of the Interior's Guidelines or what materials are appropriate to use when replacing windows in a historic municipal building.

In May, Preservation Massachusetts, launched the new Massachusetts Circuit Rider Program, which is already proving to be a valuable resource for CPA communities. Preservation Massachusetts is a statewide non-profit historic preservation advocacy organization and a founding member of the Community Preservation Coalition. In collaboration with another Coalition member, the National Trust for Historic Preservation, three historic preservation professionals have been hired to work "in the field," bringing free preservation expertise to your community.

The state Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) recently issued another publication on historic landscape preservation in Massachusetts. This series covers topics such as preserving historic stone walls and other stone features, historic town commons, burial grounds and cemeteries, plus other aspects of historic landscapes. To view the entire series online, or order free copies, visit DCR's Historic Landscape Preservation Initiative website.

This month's featured CPA project is the Thacher Island preservation project in Rockport. Thacher Island, with its twin 19th century granite lighthouses, is a National Historic Landmark - one of fewer than 2,400 in the nation. With just over $450K of CPA funds, the Town of Rockport helped fund restoration of the two 19th century keeper's cottages, the South Tower which was built in 1861, and the Whistle House, built in 1887.

The island encompasses about 50 acres and boasts the only operating twin lighthouses in America. As Francis Fleming, vice chair of the Rockport Community Preservation Committee, explains, "Thacher Island is an icon for the Town of Rockport - its image is on the town seal. It's the only island in America with two light houses on it and you can see it from most of the coast line of Rockport. It's a stunning place."