The CPA is an act that helps communities preserve open space, historic sites, develop outdoor recreational facilities, support youth sports fields, maintain playgrounds, support outdoor recreation, and support affordable housing. Like an employer retirement account, you pay some tax money in and the state matches a certain percentage.
The town of Townsend alone, through a local committee, not the state, chooses how to spend the money. As long as the funding helps to improve the town and what is offers for for open space historic sites, outdoor recreational facilities, or housing a project would be eligible. Once approved by the committee, all proposals must be passed by town meeting.
If you make less than $80K/year, you can opt out! And if you are over 60, that threshold is $100K/year. See details below.
The Townsend CPA is one percent surcharge on you property tax. There are exceptions based on income.
Category | Status |
---|---|
First $100,000 of property value for everyone | Exempt |
Aged 60 and over making less than 100% of the median income ($105,920 for a family of two) | Exempt (You can opt out and pay nothing) |
Any age and make less than 80% of the median income ($84,736 for a family of two) | Exempt (You can opt out and pay nothing) |
For the exact numbers, go to https://www.communitypreservation.org/income-limits, and click on the link: See the CPA low and moderate income guidelines for your community.
You can find the application for the CPA exclusion here.
If your income is higher, and your house is valued at $400,000, you would subtract $100,000. Then the tax rate 14.41 (presently) per $1,000 would be applied to $300,000. You would pay $43.23 annually. The formula is:
$300,000 * .01441 * 0.01 = $43.23
Home Value | Basis for Amount | Rate | Annual Amount |
---|---|---|---|
$400,000 | $300,000 | .01441 | $43.23 |
$500,000 | $400,000 | .01441 | $57.64 |
$600,000 | $500,000 | .01441 | $72.05 |
House price | Tax rate per thousand (Currently 14.41) | CPA cost per year |
---|---|---|
For comparison, the town of Pepperell passed the CPA with exactly the same exemptions and rate as this proposal. Pepperell also has a similar median income of Townsend. Townsend has about 80% of the population of Pepperell. Based on Townsend population and properties, we expect the amount raised each year will be $190,000.
Absolutely!
Many grants require a local match of about 20%. If all the CPA money was matched in this way, this money could bring almost a million dollars per year into Townsend. Currently a small group of volunteers are raising these funds. Together we can accomplish much more. Improvements to existing recreational locations and venues, and additional opportunities, makes Townsend more attractive to those living, working, or visiting our community.
2888 yes to 2357 no (preliminary count)
It depends, on among other things, the number of real estate transactions. In recent years, the match rate has varied from 20 to 45 percent.
A person needs to fill out the CP-4 form each year and turn it into the assessors office in Memorial Hall. You will be able to get it from the assessors office at Memorial Hall, or download it online. It must be filed with the assessors office on or before April 1, or 3 months after actual (not preliminary) tax bills are mailed for fiscal year if later. More details will be given here when the bylaw is passed at town meeting.
The cutoff level for getting an exemption depends on your adjusted income, not your net income. So if your net income is above the cutoff level, but you had a lot of medical expenses, you can subtract out your medical expenses to get your adjusted income. According to the Groton Assessors office, most people who are applying for the exemption put down zeros in that section unless they need it to qualify.
No, the law does not allow that. Typically town council will review CPA requests to make sure they are enhancements, not on-going costs.
Each year, at least 10% of CPA money must be allocated to 1) open space and recreation, 2) historic preservation, and 3) affordable housing. The other 70% can be used as the community sees fit. If not all that 10% is spent in one category, it is rolled over. Affordable house is often rolled over to build up enough money for a useful project.
No, all project are voted on directly at town meeting with a simple majority vote needed to pass.
Any building that is on the state registry of historic places, or the Historic Commission/Historic District Commission deems is historic.
Yes, but the homeowner will need to have or get an historic preservation easement.
Town meeting decides the rules for how the Community Preservation Committee is created. It must have between 5 and 9 members. Five members are required: one from the Conservation Commission, one from the Planning Board, one from the Historic District Commission, one from the Housing Authority, and one from the Parks and Cemeteries Commission. Town meeting can allow up to 4 at-large members, and determine if they are elected or appointed.
Yes! The CPA is an important item in the economic development section of the 2022 Townsend Master Plan. That plan envisions our historic resources and recreational facilities attracting visitors, especially visitors going to Groton Hill.