Community Preservation Committee

News & Updates

The Community Preservation Committee (CPC) has a vacancy for an At-Large Community member. The CPC is a town committee responsible for coordinating the use of Community Preservation Funds and for making annual recommendations regarding the funding of projects to Town Meeting. The position is for a renewable, one year term.

If interested, please send a short written expression of interest that includes any pertinent information that might help the CPC in its considerations regarding filling the vacancy. Statements are due by Oct. 20. Applicants are encouraged to attend the virtual CPC meeting on Oct. 21 when a recommendation for filling the vacancy will be made (see Calendar of Town for agenda and times).

Questions may be directed to the Co-Chairs, Allen Hanson or Michael DeChiara at cpc@shutesbury.org

 

About the Community Preservation Act (CPA)

The Community Preservation Act (CPA) was passed by the State Legislature in 2000 and is designed to help Massachusetts’ cities and towns preserve and plan for their communities’ futures and to raise funds to accomplish their Historic Preservation, Open Space, Recreation, and Community Housing goals.  Shutesbury adopted the CPA at its May 2008 Annual Town Meeting.

The CPA authorizes Shutesbury to levy a 1.5% surcharge on property tax bills to raise funds to address our Historic Preservation, Open Space, Recreation, and Community Housing needs. Notably, the Town elected to exempt from the surcharge the first $100,000 of assessed value of each property’s assessment. By raising local funds, Shutesbury is eligible to receive state funds that match a percentage of the funds raised by the town each year.

Projects proposed for CPA funds are reviewed, and then recommended, when appropriate, by the Community Preservation Committee (CPC).  The spending of CPA funds is only approved by Town Meeting. To guide the use of CPA funds, the CPC is required to develop a Community Preservation Plan each year. To view the most recent Community Preservation Plan - (draft 2021-2022 version), click here 

 

About the Community Preservation Committee (CPC)

The Community Preservation Committee (CPC) is compromised of seven members. This includes representatives from the Planning Board, Open Space or Recreation committee, Conservation Commission, and Historical Commission, one member representing the interests of affordable housing, and one member of the Select Board or its designee to perform the duties of a Board of Park Commissioners. There is also one At-large community member seat. Terms are one year, renewable.

The committee tends  to meet on the 3rd Thursday of each month from Sept to May/June. For upcoming meeting notices please visit the Town Calendar. All meetings are currently being held virtually.  

All of our meetings are public and the public is always welcome.

 

Apply For a CPA-funded Project

Find out how to apply for a CPA funded project.

 

Community Preservation Funded Projects

Find out more about current and past CPA funded projects.

 

Committee Related Documents