Technical Assistance
One of the main goals for the Coalition is to provide technical assistance in order to help communities understand the Community Preservation Act and learn more about best practices for implementing it. Below you will find our technical assistance database, with articles ranging across all topics of CPA implementation, organized by category. If you're looking for resources focused on adopting CPA in your community, visit our CPA Adoption page.
Technical Assistance Directory
Frequently Referenced Articles
General and Administrative Issues
Project Eligibility
Financial Issues
Historic Preservation
Housing
Open Space
Recreation
Frequently Referenced Articles
Community Preservation Plans and Applications
Secretary of Interior Standards and CPA
Department of Revenue Information
General and Administrative Issues
State Laws and CPA: Where to Look and Who to Call for Guidance
Community Preservation Committees: Composition and Duties
CPC Recommendations - One Simple Thing That Will Greatly Improve Your CPA Program
How to Draft a CPA Land Purchase Warrant Article and/or Motion
Avoiding Conflicts of Interest on Your CPC
What Constitutes a Majority on CPC Votes?
Community Outreach & Public Hearings: Creative Ways to Spread the Word on CPA
Educating Your Community on CPA Exemptions
Promoting CPA on Signs at Local Project Sites
Building a Better CPA Application Process
Using CPA Funds to Hire Administrative Staff
Lessons from a CPA Compliance Manager: Ensuring Success with CPA Project Implementation
Project Eligibility
Can CPA Fund Private Projects?
The Role of Grant Agreements in Funding CPA Projects
Do the State’s Procurement Laws Apply to CPA Projects?
Financial Issues
CPA Finances Demystified: Breaking Down the CPA Budget Process
Understanding the Formula for Distributions from the Statewide CPA Trust Fund
How to Increase Funding for Your CPA Program: Raising Your CPA Surcharge is an Option
Appropriating CPA Funds to Housing Trusts, Conservation Funds, and Agricultural Preservation Funds
CPA Accounts Earn Interest - Just Remember to Check Your CP-2 Form!
Can CPA Funds Be Paid in Advance for CPA Projects?
Understanding the Procedure for Returning Unspent CPA Project Funds
Historic Preservation
Which Historic Projects Qualify for CPA Funding?
- Overview of CPA Historic Project Eligibility
- Flowchart for CPA Historic Preservation - Step-by-Step Instructions for Historic Project Eligibility
- Your First Step In Determining Eligibility For CPA Historic Preservation Funds
Secretary of Interior Standards and CPA
Free Assistance for CPA Historic Projects (Preservation Massachusetts Circuit Rider Program)
CPA Grants for Privately-Owned Historic Buildings: Unique Programs in Springfield & Cambridge
Preserving Historic Burying Grounds Without Breaking the Bank
Preserving Barns and Rural Landscapes
Documents are Historic Resources, Too
Religious Buildings of Historic Significance:
- Overview of CPA Grants to Religious Institutions
- SJC decision concerning CPA preservation funds and historic religious buildings
Placing Preservation Restrictions on Historic Resources
Bringing Historic Artifacts Back to Life with CPA
Restoring Historic Murals and Public Art
Housing
When CPA Funds a Housing Trust, A Grant Agreement is a Must!
Has Your Housing Trust Spent CPA Funds? Make Sure They Report Back to the CPC!
CPA Rental Assistance Programs: Best Practices from the Field
Can CPA Fund Work on Existing Affordable Housing?
Housing Coordinators: Making Waves Across the Commonwealth
Free Assistance for CPA Housing Questions (CPA Affordable Housing Circuit Rider Program)
Need Help with Housing? (CPA Affordable Housing Guidebook)
Adaptive Reuse: Using CPA Funds to Convert Vacant Buildings to Housing
Housing Buy-Down Programs: Creating Affordable Housing Without New Construction
Open Space
How to Draft a CPA Land Purchase Warrant Article and/or Motion
Conservation Restrictions 101: The Rules on Conservation Restrictions on CPA Acquired Land
Recreation
CPA is All About the Land - Protections and Requirements for the Outdoor Recreation Category
CPA Recreation Projects: Why Can't CPA Funds be Spent on Stadiums and Structures?
CPA Recreation Projects: Why Can't CPA Funds be Spent on Sidewalks?
A Review of the Prohibition on Funding Artifical Turf with CPA