Milton Community Group Seeks Voter Support For CPA Adoption

MILTON, MA — A contingent of Milton residents is urging their neighbors to add the community to the number of Massachusetts municipalities that have adopted the Community Preservation Act that would provide funding for the enhancement and preservation of open spaces.

The Yes For Milton committee launched on Monday and is being co-chaired by residents Carolyn Cahill (Precinct 1) and Joe Reardon (Precinct 7), the group announced in a news release. Kristine Hodlin (Precinct 2) will serve as the committee treasurer.

The Community Preservation Act was signed into law in 2000 by then-Gov. A. Paul Cellucci. Since then, 177 municipalities representing 62 percent of Massachusetts’ population have adopted the law, according to the release. If adopted in Milton, the CPA would bring matching funds for the state after homeowners paid an average of $84 per year, the local committee said in the release.

Committee members said that Milton would be eligible for a state match that would be equal to 25 percent of local funds raised next year if the measure passes on the November ballot.

Question 3, which addresses the passage of CPA in Milton, was approved with support of 75 percent of Milton Town Meeting members on July 28. If passed in November, proceeds could be used in a number of ways that committee members believe would bring improvements to the community in a number of ways.

“We envision that with the CPA in Milton, we would have the resources to make our open spaces more accessible, improve our athletic fields throughout town, revitalize our historic structures, and proactively engage with real estate developers to create affordable units that work for everyone in town,” Reardon said in the release.

According to the group, several surrounding municipalities including Boston, Braintree, Needham, Wellesley and others approved voting the CPA into law since 2000. Now, residents believe it is time for Milton to be added to that list. The measure was on the ballot in 2012, but fell short of receiving the voter support needed to take hold in Milton, Reardon said.

“Every year, Milton is ranked as one of the best places to live. Adopting the CPA will enable us to preserve what is special about our town and our history while addressing some important future needs that will make Milton even better,” Cahill said in the news release.

Question 3 will appear on the November 3 ballot and on absentee and mail-in ballots for this year’s presidential election, the committee announced. Voters can learn more about the YES for Milton campaign by visiting https://www.yesformilton.com.