CPA-Funded Projects in Shutesbury
Since 2011, Shutesbury Town Meeting has awarded CPA funds to support twenty-six projects, amounting to over $640,000 of direct investment--and millions of dollars more in matching grants--for the historic preservation, open space, recreation, and affordable housing needs of the community. Funding for these projects comes from two sources: the CPA surcharge and the state match. The CPA surcharge in Shutesbury was set by the voters of Shutesbury at 1.5% of a property's tax after exempting the first $100,000 of the property's value, with further exemptions for low-income property owners. In FY25, the average homeowner in Shutesbury paid $5.83 per month into the Town's CPA funds. The state match varies from year to year and is paid by the Department of Revenue out of the State's Community Preservation Trust Fund. As of the end of FY26, Shutesbury has received a total of $197,560 from the Trust Fund, representing about 37% of the Town's past and current CPA projects.
These projects represent partnerships with other town committees and commissions, groups organized by Shutesbury residents, and nonprofit organizations. Additional information about Shutesbury's CPA funding activities can be found by visiting the Community Preservation Coalition's online databank.
The projects that have been awarded CPA funding in the past are:
2026:
- Retain the services of Regional Affordable Housing Coordinator through the Franklin Regional Council of Governments
- Repair and restore the gazebo and shed at Elliott Park on Lake Wyola
- Purchase approximately nine acres for the purposes of expanding South Brook Conservation Area and conducting due diligence on approximately two acres of the parcel for the possible purposes of constructing a single-family affordable home
2025:
- Amherst Regional High School track and field rehabilitation and repair
- Preserve and restore the historic guideboard sign on the Town Common, phase two
- Site preparation and concrete foundation pad for historic guideboard sign on Town Common
- Historic gravestone restoration at West Cemetery
- Trail repair and restoration in South Brook Conservation Area
- Invasive plant mitigation at Top of the Lake Conservation Area
- Lake Wyola dam repair planning and scope of work development
2024: no projects
2023:
- Historic gravestone restoration at West Cemetery
- Parking area at Lot R-15 (West Quabbin Conservation Area)
2022:
- Develop accessible trails and parking at Kestrel Trust's Ames Pond property
- Purchase and develop for passive recreational use the forested property at Lot R-15
- Preserve and restore the historic guideboard sign on the Town Common, phase one
2021:
- Conduct an ecological evaluation of current trails in the South Brook conservation area to inform future trail work
- Creation of community gardens behind town hall [amended in 2022 to move the community gardens to the site of the planned new library at Lot O-32; grant rescinded in 2026 due to project cancellation]
2020:
- Payment towards schematic and engineering study for Amherst Regional High School track and field restoration and reconstruction
2019:
- Payment towards building of a Habitat for Humanity home for a first-time homebuyer
- Repairs to foundation and structural support for Old Town Hall [grant rescinded in 2025 due to project inactivity]
2018:
- Pay for plan for removal of silt in North Cove of Lake Wyola and restoration to its historical depths [grant rescinded in 2023 due to project inactivity]
2017: no projects
2016:
- Create a Running Track at Shutesbury Elementary School
- Shutesbury Elementary School playground rehabilitation and replacement
2015:
- West Cemetery rehabilitation and restoration
- Create a canoe/kayak launch at Lake Wyola
- Create waterfront park at former Town Beach
2014: no projects
2013:
- Hearse House rehabilitation
2012:
- West Schoolhouse rehabilitation
2011:
- West Schoolhouse rehabilitation