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Annual Report 2015
THE COMMUNITY PRESERVATION ACT COMMITTEE

The Community Preservation Act (CPA) allows communities in Massachusetts to establish a
fund that may be spent for certain open space, recreational, historic resource and affordable
housing purposes. CPA funds are raised through a local property tax surcharge coupled with
matching funds from the state. In May 2001, the voters of Boxford adopted the CPA, approving
a 3% surcharge on most property taxes paid by town residents. Moderate income Senior Citizens
and low-income households in Boxford may be eligible for an exemption from their Community
Preservation Act tax surcharge, if they meet certain criteria. Persons interested in finding out if
they are eligible for this exemption should contact the Boxford Assessors’ office at 978-887-
6000 ext. 141.

In 2015, Boxford received another round of matching funds from the state. Our grant of
$236,522 was equal to 38.7% of the $619,448 we collected locally in Fiscal Year 2014 through
the 3% CPA surcharge.

At the Annual Town Meeting held May 12, 2015 the town appropriated $314,724 for the historic
preservation of the Aaron Woods School building. This appropriation included $130,938 from
the CPC Historic Fund and $125,000 in bonded debt supported by future CPC surcharge
revenue. Also approved at the meeting were separate appropriations of $6,588 and $350 from the
CPC Historic Fund for the installation of signs marking the borders of Boxford’s Historic
Districts and entrance signs for Round Top Park, respectively. An appropriation of $909 was also
approved from the CPC Undesignated Fund for a sign for Colby Park.

At a Special Town meeting held on October 27, 2015 the town appropriated $4,557,904 in
construction funds for the Boxford Common project. This funding included $2,471,853 from the
CPC Undesignated Fund, $306,397 from the CPC Budgeted Reserve, and $1,250,000 in bonded
debt supported by future CPC surcharge revenues. A $3000 appropriation was also approved
from the CPC Undesignated Fund for the construction and installation of informational kiosks
related to the Border-to-Boston Trail. In addition, a sign for the historic Davis Hayfield was
funded from the CPC Historic Fund in the amount of $375.

Throughout 2015 numerous trail signs were installed using CPC funds previously allocated to
the Conservation Commission for such projects.

The CPC continued to monitor and approve payment on invoices for various ongoing projects
during 2015.

The Committee: All CPC members serve for terms of one year, expiring in June. At Large
members are appointed by the Board of Selectmen. Representative members are appointed by
their respective Boards:
Peter Delaney, Chair, Boxford Housing Partnership Committee representative
Barbara Jessel, At Large member
Vacant, At Large member

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