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1. What is the Community Preservation Act and what can be funded?

The Community Preservation Act (CPA) enables towns to set up a Community Preservation Fund to be used for:
• The acquisition, creation and preservation of open space;
• The acquisition, preservation, rehabilitation and restoration of historic resources
• The acquisition, creation and preservation of land for recreational use;
• The creation, preservation and support of community housing
• The rehabilitation or restoration of open space, land for recreational use and community housing that is acquired or created as provided in this section.
CPA funds do not need to be used in the year they are collected. They can be set aside for future uses. The statute mandates that at least 10% of the CPA funds be used for open space, 10% for housing, and 10% for historic purposes. A maximum of 5% can be used for administering CPA. The remainder of CPA funds can be used in any percentage for open space, housing, historic, and recreation purposes.

2. Are there exemptions to paying the surcharge?

M.G.L Chapter 44B allows three exemptions, by local option, from the property tax surcharge. Needham adopted the following two exemptions:
A. Property owned and occupied as a domicile by a person who would qualify for low income housing or low or moderate income senior housing
o Low income is defined as “those persons and families whose annual income is less than 80 per cent of the area wide median income. The area wide median income shall be the area wide median income as determined by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development.”
o Low or moderate-income senior housing is defined as “housing for those persons having reached the age of 60 or over who would qualify for low or moderate income housing.”
B. $100,000 of the assessed valuation of Class One, residential parcels.

3. How do I apply for an exemption?

For Exemption A, please contact the Needham Assessor’s Office at (781) 455-7507. Exemptions are not abatements, they are not automatic, and they are not public record. An application process is in place. The qualifying date is July 1st, the first day of the fiscal year. If an actual tax bill is sent to taxpayers, applications are due within 90 days of the third quarter tax bill postmark date. If an estimated bill is sent then applications are due within 90 days of the Spring bill postmark.

4. How can someone apply for funds?

It is recommended that you speak to a member of the CPC or a staff person before applying, to insure that all appropriate steps are taken. The actual application form is available on line or by contacting the Park and Recreation Department. More...