Due to a coalition of local organizations and a vote by the City Council, Worcester voters this November will have the chance to adopt a 1.5 percent property tax surcharge for the purposes of funding community preservation projects. The Community Preservation Act (Massachusetts General Laws ch. 44B, 2000) provides Massachusetts’ municipalities with the ability to authorize a property tax surcharge, via a majority vote by residents, to raise funds for the preservation of open space, historic structures, affordable housing, and outdoor recreation. Funds raised by this local surcharge are earmarked for these preservation purposes, and a portion of them are matched by the state every year from the Community Preservation Act Trust. This report provides the voters of Worcester a resource on the Community Preservation Act (CPA) itself, so they can make an informed decision as they go to the ballot box in November.
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