Dennis Shaheen, Member-at-Large 

At the Mendon Annual Town Meeting held on May 10, 2002 and at the state election ballot on November 5, 2002, the voters accepted Sections 3 to 7, inclusive, of Chapter 44B of the Massachusetts General Laws otherwise known as the Community Preservation Act (CPA). Voters approved a surcharge on real property at 3% of the annual real estate tax levy against real property; with an exemption from such surcharge of $100,000 of the value of each taxable parcel of residential real property.  

The CPA provides new funding sources, which can be used to address three core community concerns:

·         Acquisition and preservation of open space 

·         Creation and support of affordable housing 

·         Acquisition and preservation of historic buildings and landscapes 

A   A minimum of 10% of the annual revenues of the fund must be used for each of the three core community concerns. The remaining 70% can be allocated for any combination of the allowed uses, and for the creation and preservation of land for recreational use. This gives each community the opportunity to determine its priorities, plan for its future, and have the funds to make those plans happen.

A more detailed information packet on the CPA, guidelines for submission and application documents for the CPA funds are available at the Mendon Town Hall in the Town Clerk’s Office, the Taft Public Library or online at www.mendonma.net . For questions you can call Mike McCue, the Administrative Assistant at (508) 478-8863. For further information on the CPA visit www.communitypreservation.org or www.state.ma.us/envir/cpa.

      Community Preservation Committee meetings are posted at Town Hall and all are welcome.