Community Preservation Act Exploratory Committee (CPAEC)

The Town Manager and the Board of Selectmen established a committee comprised of 11 appointed members including appointments from the Recreation Commission, Conservation Commission, Historical Commission and the Finance Committee. The Community Preservation Act (CPA) is a law which allows communities to create a local Community Preservation Fund for historic preservation, open space protection (including outdoor recreation), and affordable housing. The charge of the committee is to assist with diverse ideas and opinions about Winchendon.  Assess the pros and cons of committing to the CPA and what impact that would have on the Winchendon Community. 

In order to create a Community Preservation Committee, the people of Winchendon must approve of the CPA at a Town Meeting, as well as at the ballot.

Town of Winchendon Community Preservation Act

What is it? The Community Preservation Act is a tool that empowers the people of Winchendon to decide how to fund town projects that aren't typically funded.  

This 3% tax surcharge may only fund four types of projects:  1) Open Space, 2) Historic Preservation, 3) Recreation, and 4) Housing.

The State will match the town contribution, with the typical match being no lower than about .30 for every dollar, and even up to a dollar for dollar match.  The State CPA Trust Fund is funded by YOU.  This will enable us to bring those dollars back to Winchendon.

The funds raised by this mechanism are controlled entirely by the people of Winchendon.  Every project funded must be approved by an independent, citizen led Community Preservation Committee, followed by a vote of the people of Winchendon at Town Meeting.