Who is a member?
Our members are the local governments of Massachusetts and their elected and appointed leadership.
The Honorable Jay R. Kaufman, House Chair
The Honorable Michael J. Rodrigues, Senate Chair
Joint Committee on Revenue
State House, Boston
Dear Chairman Kaufman, Chairman Rodrigues and Members of the Committee,
On behalf of the cities and towns of the Commonwealth, the Massachusetts Municipal Association would like to offer strong support for H. 2587 and S. 1459, An Act to Sustain Community Preservation Revenue. This important legislation seeks to strengthen the Community Preservation Act (CPA).
Beginning many years before the passage of the CPA, the MMA endorsed the creation of a local-option law that would help communities fund the protection of open space, preservation of historic resources, and construction of affordable housing. Fourteen years since its adoption, the CPA has been embraced by 158 communities, representing 45 percent of the Commonwealth’s cities and towns, showing the widespread appeal that the CPA option has among municipalities throughout the state.
Since 2001, localities have used their CPA monies to preserve more than 21,800 acres of open space, create or rehabilitate over 8,500 affordable housing units and develop many innovative affordable housing programs, and approve funding for more than 3,600 historic preservation projects and more than 1,250 outdoor recreation projects. These projects strengthen and preserve our communities, improve the quality of life, and stimulate the local economy.
Most recently, the ability of our cities and towns to fund important CPA projects has been threatened by the steep decline in matching funds from the statewide CPA Trust Fund, and this has also made it more difficult for additional communities to consider adopting the CPA. Passage of H. 2587 and S.1459 would provide the flexibility needed to ensure adequate fee revenue to meet the goal of a 50 percent state match, which would leverage double that amount in local funding for important projects and provide an effective incentive level to residents, voters and communities to join in the unique local-state partnership that the CPA represents.
On behalf of all of our members, we urge you to issue a favorable report on H. 2587 and S. 1459 to help strengthen this unique state-local partnership that works to preserve, protect and enhance the cities and towns of Massachusetts for our children, grandchildren, and generations to come.
Sincerely,
Geoffrey C. Beckwith
Executive Director, MMA