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Adoption Resources

CPA Advocates and supporters in Medford parade around town with signs in support of CPA for MedfordThe Coalition has assembled a collection of materials that communities have used during their CPA adoption campaigns, from meeting presentations to lawn sign templates, talking points to draft editorials. A perfect place to start is by downloading the Coalition's one-page overview flyer with details on the CPA program and its statewide impact. If you are looking for advice on running a successful CPA adoption campaign, you can also download the Coalition's short CPA Campaign Guide.

Follow the links below to view and download additional materials - feel free to copy and adapt them to your own community's needs.

Lakeville CPA Adoption Campaign 2022Sample CPA Campaign Materials

Below is a collection of campaign materials, including brochures, lawn signs, mailers, and other materials that communities have used during their CPA adoption campaigns.

CPA Minute Video SeriesCampaign Websites and Online Tools

Many communities have created websites, social media pages, videos, and other online resources to support their CPA campaigns, including these samples: 

A group of CPA advocates and supports in Boston stand together, all holding signs that read "Yes on 5 For A Better Boston"Talking Points in Support of CPA

  • This tri-fold brochure was created by the CPA advocates in Natick when presenting their proposal for adoption during their 2022 Town Meeting.
  • This campaign strategy document summarizes how advocates in Fall River were able to put together a successful CPA adoption campaign in 2012. Included is a summary of advice, suggestions, and talking points that the members of the campaign gave during a presentation to CPA advocates in New Bedford.
  • This adoption proposal flyer (Community Preservation Shrewsbury) goes over the CPA program step-by-step, including an explanation of how CPA works, its benefits to the community, and specific details regarding the economic impact that CPA would have.
  • This one-sheet (Boxborough Board of Selectmen, 2014) provides a summary of CPA's overall impact, enabling a community to take control of its future and secure funds to complete diverse, community-based preservation projects.    
  • This statement (Lexington Capital Expenditures Committee Statement to Town Meeting, April 2011) discusses the fiscal benefits of CPA, including the state CPA Trust Fund match, leveraging opportunities, and the program's impact on Prop 2 1/2 overrides and debt exclusions.
  • This report (The Nature Conservancy, 2013) contains tips about what language resonates with voters when discussing community preservation and conservation of natural resources, and what voters are willing to pay to protect these resources.
  • This CPA True-False Quiz, used by the town of Sunderland during their fall 2010 CPA campaign, has some great points to counter common arguments and misconceptions.

CPA Community Testimonials

Having residents in existing CPA communities talk about the program can be a powerful message to incorporate into your campaign - CPA testimonials can help potential voters understand more about how CPA has benefited neighboring communities. The following CPA testimonials are available to download and share on your campaign website or through email and social media (videos created in 2022 by Jon Sachs, shared with permission):

CPA advocates and supporters in Billerica hold a large green and white banner reading "Keep the Green in Billerica - YES on 5 - Community Preservation Act"Letters to the Editor

Letters to the Editor make a powerful statement and reach many members of your community.  

  • Shelburne: this letter explains Shelburne's CPA proposal in an easy-to-understand format, as well as encouraging readers to visit their local CPA adoption campaign website to learn more.
  • Westminster: this letter frames CPA as an investment for the community, and lays out all of the reasons that it makes sense for the town to adopt.
  • Brookline: this inspiring letter paints CPA adoption as a "vote for hope" leading into the town's spring election
  • Melrose: this letter urges the city council to consider CPA and all of the benefits that it could bring to the community
  • Lancaster: this letter concisely lists the basic facts and benefits regarding the community's CPA adoption campaign
  • Belmont: this letter outlines both the present and future fiscal benefits of adopting CPA
  • Wareham: this letter details completed CPA projects in the community and contrasts these great accomplishments with the low cost of CPA for taxpayers
  • Duxbury: this letter emphasizes the importance of CPA to preserving the character of the town

Newspaper Columns and Editorials

Local newspapers often welcome guest columnists and editorial submissions. This format gives you an opportunity to make pro-CPA arguments in greater detail than a Letter to the Editor. 

  • Fall River: editorial letter in support of Fall River's 2012 CPA campaign
  • Swansea: editorial letter in support of Swansea's CPA campaign
  • Amherst: this editorial supports CPA and a CPA surcharge increase

Presentations to Town Meeting, City Council, and Other Municipal Officials

It is important to deliver presentations on CPA to your local boards and municipal officials. These presentations are a great opportunity to emphasize the fact that your community can use CPA funds to leverage additional state, federal and private funds for projects – a particularly strong argument in this economy. 

Natick CPA Study ReportCPA Study Committee Reports

Many communities begin the CPA adoption process by appointing a committee to prepare a report on the pros and cons of CPA as it relates to their city or town.

Support from Community Groups & Local Non-Profits

Local non-profits, such as land trusts or historical societies, are allowed to participate in CPA adoption campaigns, and they can be valuable allies to promote the benefits of the CPA program to the community. Non-profits have specific ways that they are allowed to assist with CPA adoption efforts, such as contributing funding to your CPA Ballot Question Committee, public endorsements, sending out mailings to their members, and in-kind contributions such as copying, employee time, or office space. For a more details on how non-profits can participate in your CPA adoption campaign, you can download the following guide from the Trust for Public Land: Ballot Question Participation by Public Charities.

  • Public endorsements: the "Yes for a Better Boston" campaign in 2016 garnered endorsements for CPA from dozens of non-profit organizations throughout the city
  • Letters to local members: in 2007, Greenbelt, Essex County's Land Trust, sent letters to their members in the cities of Gloucester and Salem asking them to vote in favor of CPA adoption in their community.
  • Letters of support: in Arlington, the local League of Women Voters published a letter in the newspaper declaring their support of the CPA program and urging residents to vote YES on CPA adoption at the ballot

Economic Studies

Studies repeatedly show the economic benefits to communities of housing construction, open space and historic preservation.