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CPA Update: Billerica on the Ballot

Posted on: May 8, 2018 - 2:13pm

Billerica Puts CPA on the BallotAug. 18, 2016: Local CPA advocates are celebrating in Billerica after a successfully gathering enough signatures to place the question of CPA adoption on their November ballot. After working throughout the summer, the grassroots campaign succeeded this week in having their petition signed by the required 5 percent of the town's registered voters. Pending approval from the town registrar, Billerica will now be the eleventh community to vote on CPA adoption later this year.

In Billerica, voters will decide on adopting a 1% CPA surcharge for their community, with exemptions for the first $100,000 of residential property value and the first $100,000 of commercial property value, as well as low income and low and moderate income senior homeowners. Billerica would raise approximately $786,000 in local CPA revenues annually for recreation, historic preservation, affordable housing and open space projects. Adopting CPA will 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. The annual cost to the average Billerica homeowner would be about $33.

If Billerica does adopt the CPA, the funds could address a number of local needs, including open space protection of locations like Cider Mill Field, historic preservation of properties such as the Howe Museum, as well as affordable housing and recreation projects.

Further Resources:

  • Click here to learn more about the other communities who will be voting on CPA adoption in November.