[CastleMan95]

Here in Massachusetts, we have the Community Preservation Act (CPA) in which towns or city's can vote to tack on up to a 3% surcharge onto property tax bills in order to purchase open space, preserve historic buildings / sites, or to develop affordable housing. The state will match some of the towns share. This state money is raised through some sort of new fee placed on real estate transactions...I may be off somewhat in this area so dont quote me.

You all may be surprised that the majority of the towns up here so far have rejected the CPA...probably about 40% of the communities that have put it to public vote have accepted it with the remaining 60% rejecting it (rough numbers). In fact even Boston, by a close vote, rejected it this past fall.

I dont particularly believe in the CPA although Id rather have towns and private conservation groups buy property to keep as open space rather than place questionably legal growth restrictions within communities that, in effect, take away land owners rights. It seems blatant to me that when it comes to open space around here, some in power have THEIRS already and want the open space to come from OTHERS property. Ive been dying to tell some in power around here that if they're such big fans of open space...to bulldoze their house, remove the foundation, and reseed the lot. Im guessing it wouldnt go over too well but maybe the point would be made.

[1Old Pro]

Thanks. I remember reading about this in the Newton (yes, that Newton) weekly last year.