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Dear ,
Receiving positive news on $25 million in funding for the statewide CPA Trust Fund is always a good way to start the week! This issue of CPA Update contains details on that developing story, as well as a link to the Coalition's brand new CPA Projects Database website, a recap of the new communities voting on CPA, and more.
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$25 Million for the CPA Trust Fund | |
 Responding to calls from CPA advocates across the state, the legislative committee charged with reconciling the differences between the House and Senate versions of the FY15 budget has approved a full $25 million from the state's budget surplus for the CPA Trust Fund. Legislators in both branches were expected to approve the budget by the end of the day on Monday, after which Governor Patrick will have 10 days to sign it into law.
There are still many factors that will determine how this funding will affect the percentage match CPA communities will receive this coming November 15th.
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CPA Recreational Projects
Why can't CPA Funds Be Spent on Stadiums and Structures?
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 In the summer of 2012, the Community Preservation Act (CPA) was amended by the state legislature to allow broader uses of CPA funds on recreational projects. Those changes to CPA allowed communities, for the first time, to rehabilitate their existing recreational lands and outdoor recreational facilities with CPA funds. Prior to this, only recreational lands and facilities that had been acquired or created with CPA funds could be rehabilitated with CPA funds. In just the first year after the change, CPA communities approved over $42 million in spending on recreational projects. Despite the 2012 changes however, there are a few types of recreational projects that are still prohibited when using CPA funds, including horse and dog racing and the use of land for a stadium, gymnasium or similar structure. Note that this prohibition has been a part of the CPA legislation since its beginning in 2002, and still stands following the 2012 CPA amendments. To understand more about the prohibition on stadiums, click here for the full article....
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More Communities Voting to Adopt CPA | |
 At least seven communities are set to vote on CPA adoption this coming November. After successful votes at Town Meeting this spring, CPA will be on the ballot in the towns of Arlington, Berkley, Boxborough, Egremont, Newbury and Otis. The Woburn City Council also voted to put CPA on the November 4th ballot.
In addition, one other city, New Bedford, is considering moving CPA to a ballot vote. The City Council voted last week to recommend the motion, which now awaits final approval from the Mayor. Lastly, CPA advocates in a few other Massachusetts towns are planning to gather signatures this summer to put CPA on the ballot.
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| Introducing The New CPA Projects Database | |
 The Coalition is delighted to debut our completely redesigned CPA Projects Database; an easy-to-use tool that allows you to search and filter more than 6,600 completed CPA projects across Massachusetts.
Each year, all CPA communities are required to report their new projects and update the status of old projects to the Department of Revenue (DOR) through the online CP-3 form. After the deadline each fall, we import the data into our sortable database hosted on the Coalition website. |
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FEATURED PROJECT: Norfolk Mixes Housing, Recreation & Conservation Land on 22 Acres | |
Just outside the town center in Norfolk, Community Preservation funds are helping to turn a 22-acre parcel of dormant farmland into land for recreation, conservation, and affordable housing. Formerly called Gump's Farm, the parcel off Route 115 housed a popular farmstand that shut down four years ago and was being eyed by developers for market-rate housing. Thanks to CPA, the land will instead become a multi-faceted public asset for local residents.
Click here to read about the project...
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