April 10, 2010
On Saturday 10 April, 2010 Dighton residents will vote on adopting the CPA for the town. The CPA will be ballot question 1. The surcharge would be 1%, with low-income households (up to 80% of median income) and moderate-income seniors (earning up to 100% of median income) exempt from contributing. The first $100,000 of any residential property is also exempt. The average household in Dighton would pay between $25-30 per year. This will generate approximately $80,000 locally and these funds are matched with state funds.
Actual Ballot Language:
Shall Dighton accept sections 3 to 7 inclusive, of Chapter 44B of the General Laws, as approved by its legislative body, a summary of which appears below?
Sections 3 to 7 of Chapter 44B of the General Laws of Massachusetts, also known as the Community Preservation Act, establish a dedicated funding source to acquire and preserve open space, parks and conservation land; protect public drinking water supplies; preserve scenic areas; protect farm land and forests from future development; restore and preserve historic properties; and help meet local families’ housing needs. In Dighton, the Community Preservation Act will be funded by an additional excise of 1% on the annual tax levy on real property to be assessed beginning in fiscal year 2011 and by matching funds provided by the state, excluding property owned and occupied as a domicile by any person who qualifies for low income housing or low or moderate income senior housing in the Town of Dighton, as defined in Section 2 of said Act, and also excluding $100,000.00 of the value of each taxable parcel of residential real property. Any other taxpayer receiving an exemption of real property authorized by Chapter 59 of the General Laws shall be exempt from this Act. A Community Preservation Committee composed of local citizens will be established to make recommendations on the use of funds and all expenditures will be subject to an annual audit.
Actual Ballot Language:
Shall Dighton accept sections 3 to 7 inclusive, of Chapter 44B of the General Laws, as approved by its legislative body, a summary of which appears below?
Sections 3 to 7 of Chapter 44B of the General Laws of Massachusetts, also known as the Community Preservation Act, establish a dedicated funding source to acquire and preserve open space, parks and conservation land; protect public drinking water supplies; preserve scenic areas; protect farm land and forests from future development; restore and preserve historic properties; and help meet local families’ housing needs. In Dighton, the Community Preservation Act will be funded by an additional excise of 1% on the annual tax levy on real property to be assessed beginning in fiscal year 2011 and by matching funds provided by the state, excluding property owned and occupied as a domicile by any person who qualifies for low income housing or low or moderate income senior housing in the Town of Dighton, as defined in Section 2 of said Act, and also excluding $100,000.00 of the value of each taxable parcel of residential real property. Any other taxpayer receiving an exemption of real property authorized by Chapter 59 of the General Laws shall be exempt from this Act. A Community Preservation Committee composed of local citizens will be established to make recommendations on the use of funds and all expenditures will be subject to an annual audit.
