Page 10 - Wildlands Trust fall newsletter

CPA (Continued from Page 10)

These larger funding opportunities, Mack noted, are only possible
when the community makes an investment in the project, however
small, “to show they have skin in the game.” Advocates also note
that strategic land use planning through the CPA can reduce the
cost of services to local taxpayers and ease pressure on general
municipal budgets.
While the on-the-ground impact of the CPA speaks for itself,
its ability to educate residents about their own power in
community development may be the act’s greatest attribute.

“The CPA money is never going to be enough to buy all the open McCarthy Farm features 36 acres of diverse woodland and wetland habitat
space we should buy or build all of the affordable housing we need in southwest Rockland. In 2021, the Town of Rockland acquired the
or preserve all the historical landmarks,” Keohan said. “But if we historic farmland using CPA and additional state funds, protecting it from
development. Rockland adopted the CPA in 2016, making it one of the
change people’s minds through education about how preservation newest CPA communities in Southeastern Massachusetts.
works and directly connect it to their wallet, their quality of life, and
their investment in their real estate, they have the ‘aha’ moment.”
Almost 25 years after Bill Keohan circulated clipboards around
In Halifax, local preservation champions are hoping to spark enough the town dump, he can speak from personal experience about the
‘aha’ moments this fall to join the ranks of CPA communities in urgency of CPA adoption in Southeastern Massachusetts. A tsunami
Southeastern Massachusetts. After a failed adoption attempt in of population growth and development arrived early in coastal
2001, the CPA returns to the Halifax ballot in November. This time, communities like Plymouth, Keohan said, but inland towns are not
the CPA has local reinforcements. HOPE, Halifax’s Opportunity to far behind, and the CPA can help stem the tide.
Preserve and Enhance, is a state-registered ballot support committee
comprising nine Halifax residents striving to educate the community “If you want a seat at the table concerning the future of your town,
about the benefits of the CPA. bring a folding chair and squish in,” he said. “That’s what the CPA
does. It gives residents a seat at the table for big decisions being
“We’ve missed out for 24 years, leaving significant money on the made in their community.”
table,” said Candace Kniffen, HOPE chair. “The biggest hurdle is
getting the word out that for really short money, we can accomplish For more information about the CPA, visit
a lot with the state’s backing. We’re optimistic that we’ve done that.” communitypreservation.org.

Remembering Malcolm MacGregor

Our beloved “Trail Guy” Malcom MacGregor passed away on May
31, 2024. Malcolm spent his last 11 years leading hikes and making
maps for Wildlands Trust. We miss Malcolm dearly and express our
profound condolences to his friends, family, and many admirers
across Plymouth and beyond.
We thank the following individuals, who donated to Wildlands in
Malcolm’s memory.

Patricia Adelmann │ Plymouth, MA Tom Fugazzi │ Plymouth, MA
James Albani │ Marion, MA Anne Gregory │ Duxbury, MA
Richard Asadoorian │ Manomet, MA Brian Harrington │ Plymouth, MA
James Barrett │ Plymouth, MA Philip Holt │ Plymouth, MA
Joan Bartlett │ Plymouth, MA Barbara Jacobs │ Buzzards Bay, MA
Robert Betters │ Plymouth, MA Audrey Kiernan │ Plymouth, MA
Christine and Dave Boe │ Plymouth, MA Ramona Krogman │ Plymouth, MA
Linda Boyer │ North Wales, PA Robert Maccaferri │ Carver, MA
Andrew Carter │ Plymouth, MA Paul Miraglia │ Plymouth, MA
Susan Chamberlain │ Stonington, ME Mathew Muratore │ Plymouth, MA
Renee Coady │ Plymouth, MA Diane Peck
Paula Dabrowski │ Plymouth, MA Ann Prentice │ Plymouth, MA
Keith Demers │ Marshfield, MA Lois Post │ Plymouth, MA
Patrick Farah │ Plymouth, MA Judy Savage │ Plymouth, MA
Chris Faranetta │ Plymouth, MA Richard Serkey │ Plymouth, MA
Sandy Fosgate │ Plymouth, MA Cheryl Smith │ Lakeville, MA
Bill Vickstrom │ Plymouth, MA
10 Emilie Wetzel │ Philadelphia, PA