Community Preservation Committee

OVERVIEW OF CPA

The Community Preservation Act (CPA), M.G.L. Chapter 44B, was signed into law by Governor Paul Cellucci on September 14, 2000. The Act provides for communities to create a local Community Preservation Fund for Community Housing, Historic Preservation, and Open Space and Recreation, and by authorizing a surcharge on real estate taxes. A state match is provided each year in November for the previous year. 

In West Newbury, the CPA was adopted At a Special Town Meeting held on October 17, 2005. Voters approved Article 17 to accept Sections 3 to 7, inclusive, of M.G.L. Chapter 44B, the Community Preservation Act, with a 3% surcharge on real property to be expended for uses as authorized by the Act. The ballot question was approved at the Annual Town Election on May 1, 2006 by a vote of 720 to 546.

The formula for the surcharge in West Newbury provides for an exemption of the first $100,000 of residential property value. An exemption for low-income residents is available, which must be applied for from the Board of Assessors each year. The Board of Assessors has prepared a summary of the CPA and how it impacts real estate taxes in West Newbury. The summary and the Application for Abatement may be found in the Office of the Assessors and on its website page: https://www.wnewbury.org/assessors/pages/exemptions-and-abatements

COMMUNITY PRESERVATION COMMITTEE
The CPA requires that a municipality establish a Community Preservation Committee. Following approval of CPA at the ballot, General Bylaw XXXVI was approved at the Annual Town Meeting (Article 14) on April 30, 2007, and amended on April 28, 2008 (Article 21) to renumber the sections. Other amendments to the Bylaw have been approved in the past.  The Bylaw established the Community Preservation Committee (CPC), which consists of seven members. As required by the statute, a member of each of the following entities is appointed to the CPC by their fellow members: Conservation Commission, Historical Commission, Housing Authority, Parks and Recreation Commission, Planning Board, Open Space Committee, and Board of Selectmen.  The Town Manager or designee is to serve as an ex-officio member. Members serve staggered terms in order to keep continuity on the Committee.

 

Committee Members

NameTitleTerm
Wendy Reed

Chairperson
Select Board Rep Representative

7/1/23 to 6/30/24

Tim Cronin

Vice Chair
Planning Board Representative

7/1/23 to 6/30/24

Graham Bacheller

Open Space Committee Representative

7/1/23 to 6/30/24

Housing Authority Representative

7/1/23 to 6/30/24

John Haley

Conservation Commission Representative

7/1/23 to 6/30/24

Robert Janes

Historical Commission Representative

7/1/23 to 6/30/24

Douglas Mead

Park and Recreation Representative

9/27/23 to 6/30/24

Angus Jennings

Town Manager
Ex Officio member

N/A

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