Abington Adopts CPA Among a Flurry of CPA Activity This Year

Apr. 30, 2016: It's been a very active year so far for CPA adoption activity across the state. 

On April 30th, Abington residents adopted CPA at a 1.5% surcharge by a vote of 721 to 530. This was Abington's very first attempt at adoption and their surcharge includes restrictions for low/moderate income and the first $100,000 for residential and commerical properties.

Earlier in the spring, South Hadley voted against CPA adoption by a slim margin of 14 votes out of a total of 1,497. Encouraged by the incredibly close vote, local CPA proponents are looking ahead for further possibilities for adoption. South Hadley’s first attempt to adopt was CPA back in 2007 with a 3% surcharge, but the almost-successful attempt this year at 1.5% shows that there is definite interest within the community in adopting CPA at a lower surcharge rate. In light of this, CPA advocates in South Hadley succeeded over the summer to bring CPA to the ballot once more in the fall with a petition that was signed by the required 5 percent of the town's registered voters.

Last to vote on CPA during spring elections was the town of Oxford on May 17th. However, residents voted against CPA adoption for the town.

In addition to these elections, many other communities have begun the process of considering CPA for their towns, hoping to be able to vote on the measure at the same time as the presidential election in November. Rockland, Hull, Norwood, and Danvers all passed the CPA Article at their respective Town Meetings and these towns will now include CPA on the ballot this fall. Town Meeting voted against placing CPA on the ballot in Lakeville. Meanwhile, advocates in Billerica in succeeded in bringing CPA to the November 8th ballot with a petition signed by at least 5 percent of the community's registered voters. East Bridgewater and Wrentham are acquiring signatures for their CPA petitions as well.

Among cities, Boston, Chelsea, Holyoke, Springfield, and Pittsfield City Councils have voted to place CPA on the ballot. The City Council in Palmer is also considering placing CPA on the ballot and will vote in the coming weeks. Citizens in Watertown are in the field collecting signatures this summer, hoping to gather enough to place CPA on the November ballot in their community.

With so much activity, 2016 is proving to be one of CPA’s busiest years on record. We’ll be sure to continue providing updates as things develop, but in the meantime, here is a recap of the latest results from Town Meeting and City Council votes:

  • Rockland (CPA Approved by Town Meeting for November Ballot)
  • Hull (CPA Approved by Town Meeting for November Ballot)
  • Norwood (CPA Approved by Town Meeting for November Ballot)
  • Boston (CPA Approved by City Council for November Ballot)
  • Danvers (CPA Approved by Town Meeting for November Ballot)
  • Chelsea (CPA Approved by City Council for November Ballot)
  • Holyoke (CPA Approved by City Council for November Ballot)
  • Springfield (CPA Approved by City Council for November Ballot)
  • South Hadley (CPA Approved by Petition for November Ballot)
  • Pittsfield (CPA Approved by City Council for November Ballot)
  • Billerica (CPA Approved by Petition for November Ballot)
  • Lakeville (CPA Rejected for November Ballot)