Enacted in 2000, the Community Preservation Act (CPA) allows communities to create a local Community Preservation Fund for open space protection, historic preservation, affordable housing and outdoor recreation. The fund is financed with the revenues from a property tax surcharge of not more than 3%. (Williamstown’s rate is currently 2%.)  The State of Massachusetts contributes some additional funding, in an amount that varies from year to year. The role of the Community Preservation Committee (CPC) is to review applications for grants from the Community Preservation Fund and submit its recommendations as Warrant Articles for approval at the Annual Town Meeting.  

Read Williamstown CPC Plan: A Citizen’s Guide to the CPA.