Community Preservation Committee

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. The committee meets from October through March.

Committee members are appointed by the Select Board.

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

For agenda and meeting details, see UPCOMING MEETING.

Community Preservation Committee Resources

The following links lead to helpful information on the Community Preservation Coalition website:

  1. Coalition Membership Program
  2. CPA Trust Fund
  3. Using CPC Administrative Funds to Hire Staff
  4. Can CPA Fund Private Projects?
  5. CPA Allowable Uses
  6. The Role of Grant Agreements in Funding Private Projects
  7. Drafting CPA Land Purchase Warrant Articles
  8. CPA Plans & Applications
  9. How to Increase Funding for Your CPA Program

Board Contact

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Upcoming Meeting
CPA FY2027 Grant Warrant Articles
CPA FY2027 Grant Applications
Financial Statements
Cable Mills
Willinet Video Recordings
Past Meetings

Members

Philip McKnight (Conservation Commission) – Chair
Alison Bost (Town Manager Designee)
Stephanie Boyd (Parks Commission)
Steve Dew (Housing Authority)
Molly Magavern (Finance Committee)
Polly Macpherson (Town Resident)
Cory Campbell (Planning Board)
Emily Stone (Historical Commission)

There is currently (1) vacancy on this board.

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