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From: Chris Saccardi, Community Preservation Coalition
Date: 11/1/2002
Time: 8:22:28 AM
Remote Name: 208.25.215.2
Dan - It isn't clear to me why the addition of 30,000 new people to the City of Westfield would result in a redevelopment of the downtown or a push to preserve historical places or add new recreation areas. What is clear is that such an influx of people would represent a two-thirds increase in the poplulation of the City. This would almost certainly result in a dramatic increase in your tax bill for a number of reasons. Many of these new residents will have children - this will require new schools. These new homes will require new roads and new sewer hookups. While it is true that the total taxes the City collects will also increase, a number of studies across Massachusetts have shown that for every new dollar of property taxes a municipality collects, it pays $1.09 out in additional services. In light of the new strains that this increased population would put on the City's finances, I don't see where the money for the new recreational areas and the redevelopment of the downtown would come from. These kinds of projects would be more likely to occur with the passage of the CPA, which would provide a dedicated revenue source for exactly these kinds of projects. Not only that, but for the first few years, the state will be paying for half of the projects by providing its 100% match of the funds you collect locally. Finally, passage of the CPA gives you added weight in your applications for other state matching funds, which could provide even more state money to tackle the kinds of projects you mention. An example of this is North Andover, which is in the process of completing a land purchase for which they will pay only one third of the price. They received the state's matching CPA funds as well as another grant from the Office of Environmental Affairs. Please let me know if this answers your question or if you would like some additional information. Feel free to call me at 617-367-8998.