CPA Adoption Update: Lancaster Voting on CPA Adoption in November

Many Massachusetts towns are only just now able to hold their "spring" town meetings after months-long delays stemming from the ongoing pandemic. And while several communities have put the breaks on possible CPA adoption attempts for this year because of these difficulties, there are still campaigns out there urging their neighbors to consider CPA for 2020. The latest success from these efforts comes from the town of Lancaster - just last night, their town meeting approved of placing CPA adoption on the November ballot.

In Lancaster, voters will now decide whether or not to adopt a 1% CPA surcharge for their community, with exemptions for the first $100,000 of both residential and commercial property value, as well as exemptions for low income and low & moderate income senior homeowners. With a 1% CPA surcharge and the aforementioned exemptions, the town is estimating that it will raise approximately $156,000 in local CPA revenues annually for recreation, historic preservation, affordable housing, and open space projects. Adopting CPA would also make the town eligible to receive annual distributions of funds from the statewide Community Preservation Trust Fund, monies that are available only to communities that have adopted the Act.

Local advocates have been very enthusiastic about the benefits that CPA could have for the town. In a public presentation given earlier this year, several potential projects were brought up, including the renovation of their town hall, athletic field and outdoor trail preservation, and the development of new and existing affordable housing.

Lancaster now joins the city of Greenfield as the second community to place a CPA ballot question on the November 3rd presidential election. But for that, West Stockbridge will be voting on CPA adoption on June 29th - will they become the 177th CPA community? Is it possible that there will be over 180 CPA communities by the end of the year? It's hard to say right now, but there are still several communities that will be discussing CPA at their town meetings throughout June and July. Be sure to keep an eye on our elections page for future updates!