Framingham Community Preservation Act on November 3 Ballot

CONTACT INFORMATION:
Framingham Community Preservation Now
Steven Weisman
508 380 6402
Sweisman1116@gmail.com

RELEASE DATE:
September 9, 2020

FRAMINGHAM COMMUNITY PRESERVATION IS QUESTION 3 ON NOVEMBER BALLOT

Local supporters have formed Framingham Community Preservation Now to educate City
residents about Community Preservation’s significant benefits and modest cost.
State election officials have confirmed that Question 3 on Framingham’s November ballot will
ask voters if Framingham should adopt the Community Preservation Act (CPA) to support open
space protection and outdoor recreation, historic preservation, and community housing.
Community Preservation is about protecting things that we value and improving our quality of
life. A YES vote on Question 3 will establish a Framingham Community Preservation Fund that
will support projects in all corners of the City. All residents will benefit.
In 2000, Massachusetts’ legislature passed CPA. It allows cities and towns that adopt CPA by
voter referendum to collect a small annual surcharge on property tax bills to fund quality of life
projects. It also guarantees they will get annual state matching funds. Over the past 10 years,
this match has averaged over 25%.
In July, City Council voted 11-0 in favor of CPA adoption and requested a CPA voter referendum
on the November ballot. Now Question 3 gives voters the final word on City adoption of CPA.
177 cities and towns have adopted CPA since 2001 and created Community Preservation Funds.
They have raised over $2.3 billion, including state matches totaling over $670,000,000, to fund
over 12,000 local projects.
If Framingham had adopted CPA in 2001 as is now proposed by Question 3, the City would have
collected an estimated $30,000,000 for its Community Preservation Fund and would have
received a state match totaling $6,000,000 or more. This money would have supported
hundreds of local quality of life projects, which instead were lost, compromised, delayed, or
made more expensive. Today, the City budget is less able than ever to pay for such projects.
Question 3 will raise $1,500,000 in the first year, and the City will receive an estimated $300,000
state match. 67% of residential property owners will pay less than $50 annually for the
surcharge on their property tax bills. Eligible low-income residents and moderate-income
seniors will be exempt.
Get the facts before you vote on Question 3. Visit www.framinghamcpnow.org.