After adoption, who controls the Community Preservation Fund?

Each city or town accepting CPA establishes a local Community Preservation Committee (CPC) by a separate municipal ordinance or bylaw that must be passed by a majority vote of the Town Meeting or City Council. The statute requires that the CPC consist of between 5-9 members, including one representative from the local conservation, parks, and historical commissions; planning board; and housing authority. The other 3 members, if any, may be appointed or elected, as provided in the bylaw or ordinance adopted to establish the committee.

The CPC's responsibility is to study local needs, consult with existing municipal boards, hold public hearings, develop spending plans, and make annual recommendations to the Town Meeting or City Council on how CPF funds should be spent.

If recommended by the CPC, a municipality may issue bonds in anticipation of CPA property tax surcharge revenues or use CPF funds to match state or federal grants. Also, CPA funds may be used for eminent domain land takings if recommended by the CPC and approved by a 2/3-majority vote of the Town Meeting or City Council.