According to the Community Preservations Coalition (a non-profit group dedicated to supporting CPA communities) close to $1.4 billion in funding has been raised to date, with the bulk of the money coming from modest local option taxes.
But there’s a hidden bonus in that number: Depending on annual state distributions intended to enhance CPA funds raised locally, earmarked fees from country registries of deeds and the state legislature go exclusively to CPA communities. That’s adds up to hundreds of millions of dollars – not a bad deal when you consider the hard cash that accrues when matching funds can be between one-fifth to half of local funding. Every time a home or commercial property changes hands in Massachusetts a slice of the transfer tax goes directly to CPA communities. Money from your community goes to those fees, whether or not it’s adopted the CPA.
The state contributes money to local CPA funds, which can only be spent on historic preservation, affordable housing, open space or recreation, but it has no say in how it is spent. Adopting the CPA requires a community referendum vote. A local CPA committee recommends projects for CPA funding, but not a dime is spent unless it is approved by the local legislative body.You can read the full editorial here (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20151121/OPINION/151128901/2011/OPINION
The Community Preservation Act was before the Franklin voters in Nov 2007 and failed to pass.
Ballot Question 1Yes - 1528No - 2174
The Community Preservation Act did not pass.
Also from the archives this article from the Boston Globe
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2007/11/how-not-to-spend-community-preservation.html
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