Community Preservation Act- Ballot Question Number 5
On November 8th, Worcester voters will be voting on whether to adopt a 1.5% surcharge with exemptions for the first $100,000 of residential and commercial properties and for low-income households and some seniors who qualify for a low-income exemption, on ballot question number 5- The Community Preservation Act.
Currently there are 189 municipalities in the Commonwealth, or approximately 54 percent of all communities who have adopted the CPA and; of the 26 Gateway cities in Massachusetts, only 13 have adopted the CPA to date. While only half of the State’s Gateway Cities have adopted the CPA, just three of Worcester’s neighbors have implemented it here in Central Massachusetts: Grafton, Shrewsbury and West Boylston.
What does that mean for our businesses here in the City?
For businesses, this would be an average added tax of $604.58 per year on the already 8th highest commercial tax rate in Commonwealth. Meanwhile, Inflation rates continue to climb, rents in Worcester are at an all-time high, cost of building supplies are making projects unaffordable, and filling up a car or work truck is affecting residents and small businesses alike.
Why are we adding new property taxes when we currently have a historic amount of dollars available to both residents and businesses through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) on both the city and state level?
Through the American Rescue Plan Act, the city of Worcester received $149 million dollars and the Commonwealth received $5.3 billion dollars to address the same initiatives that the CPA is proposed to address: preservation of open space and historic sites, affordable housing and outdoor recreational facilities.
While the Chamber supports the goals of affordable housing, more green space, and preservation of historic buildings, 2022 is not the right time to add more taxes to the homeowners and businesses.
Increases to property taxes to our hard-working residents and businesses is not a responsible policy at this time!!
VOTE NO ON QUESTION 5!