by Ann Krawet
At the 2008 Becket Annual Town Meeting, town residents voted to adopt the MA Community Preservation Act (CPA) in order to protect and preserve open space, preserve historic locations, and promote affordable housing in Becket. A Community Preservation Committee (CPC) to be appointed by the Select Board was established. The Committee administers funds which are generated by a yearly 1.5% surtax on local property taxes and which are supplemented by the Commonwealth’s Community Preservation Trust Fund. Before an individual homeowner’s tax is calculated, many exclusions and adjustments can be applied. The State reimbursement is based on statewide home sales, which were low this year. This year the Commonwealth allotted $13,500 to Becket’s CPC account. The total available for disbursement by the CPC in 2024 will be calculated at the end of February 2024 after taxes are timely paid.
Each of the three above-named categories must receive a minimum of 10% of the total funds. The remaining 70% can be spent or reserved for future funding in any of the three areas. Types of projects that may be difficult to fund by other means can be funded by CPC funding: helping seniors repair their homes; broadening housing opportunities for residents; and building playgrounds, athletic fields and trails. Approved 2023 projects were Esau’s Heel Trail construction, the restoration of the Town Hall copola, an engineering study for the Becket Arts Center and the rehabilitation/rebuild of a private home. In addition, CPA funds can be used as local leverage for state and federal grants, and communities can issue bonds in anticipation of future CPA proceeds. ONLY PROJECTS APPROVED AT TOWN MEETING CAN RECEIVE FUNDING. Applications for funding projects must be received by the end of February each year. Application forms and guidelines can be found at Town Hall or on the town website. For an in-depth understanding of the CPC process, check out the FY 2022 “Report of the Community Preservation Committee” in the Becket 2022 Annual Report.
For assistance with an application feel free to contact a CPC committee member (one vacancy exists):
– Rita Furlong – Acting Chairperson/Parks and Recreation Com. designee
– John Garvey – Secretary/Historical Com. designee
– Douglas Bessone – Conservation Com. designee
– Ann Krawet – Planning Board designee
– Larisa Shpitalnik – At Large member
Or visit: www.townofbecket.org/community-preservation-committee
