In the spring of 2001, the League of Women Voters of Westford actively supported passing the Community Preservation Act (CPA). Westford citizens voted 2-1 to pass the legislation. The CPA sets funds aside for a community to support open space, affordable housing, historic preservation, and land for recreational use. Town Meeting is the final authority deciding when, where and how to spend its Community Preservation funds. Making citizens active participants in government decision-making is just one, very important reason why the League supported the CPA.

The CPA also meets the League's Historic, Land Use, Natural Resources and Housing positions. The League believes that the CPA is an important tool to help Westford preserve our historic character, open space and our water resources, and create more diversified and affordable housing.

This year the CPA surcharge resulted in $924,435. Including the CPA funds saved last year and the October 15 state matching funds, Westford has $3,108,000 at our disposal for current and future community preservation efforts. Because Westford set the CPA property tax surcharge at 3%, we are eligible for 100% matching funds from the state.

On October 7, Westford's Community Preservation Committee took the first step in bringing potential community preservation projects to Town Meeting. The Committee recommended funding four projects in community housing, open space, and historical resources. The recommendations are:

$700,000 to assist in the purchase of the107-acre Stepinski parcel for water resources/well development, open space, water resource protection, and passive and active recreation (Westford Conservation Commission and Water Department);

$150,000 to the Conservation Trust Fund allocation to facilitate land acquisition (Conservation Commission);

$4000 for the preservation of historic town documents (Town Records Preservation Committee);

$100,000 for the Affordable Housing Buy-Down Program that would establish a reserve account to buy-down the cost of existing affordable units (Westford Housing Authority).

The remainder of the funds will remain in the Community Preservation Reserve funds for future needs.

A recommendation by the Community Preservation Committee and an appropriation by Town Meeting are both required to spend CPA funds. Town Meeting may approve, reduce, or reject any amount recommended by the Community Preservation Committee.

We encourage you to learn more about the specific projects by reviewing the Community Preservation funding applications. These can be viewed online at www.westfordcpa.org, in the Town Clerk's office, or the J.V. Fletcher Library. Most importantly we encourage you to attend the November 4, 2003 Special Town Meeting, 7:30 pm at the Abbot School to exercise your rights as voters of the Town of Westford.