News release from Citizens for Milton Community Preservation

A broad-based group of Milton residents, including Republicans, Democrats and Independents, have come together as Citizens for Milton Community Preservation to support a YES on 4 vote on Question 4 this November 6th. John Cronin, retired town administrator, and Katie Conlon, former warrant committee chair, are co-chairing the effort.

The Community Preservation Act was passed by the Massachusetts Legislature and signed by Governor Paul Cellucci in 2000 to help communities manage development by preserving open space and historic sites and encouraging reasonably-priced housing. Recent legislation, support by state Senator Brian Joyce and Representatives Walter Timilty and Linda Dorcena Forry, enables CPA resources to be used to improve parks and playgrounds.

Communities that pass CPA receive state matching funds from existing surcharges on real estate transactions. For the past 12 years, Milton residents have been paying these surcharges without receiving a penny back in matching funds. Voting Yes on Question 4 will result in some of this money being returned to Milton. Recent legislation has increased the state matching fund—Milton can count on receiving more than a 25% state match, a return on investment that is unbeatable.

CPA is inherently local. All expenditures must be approved by Milton’s Town Meeting which will receive recommendations from a local Community Preservation Committee and the Warrant Committee. The town’s contribution will be funded by a 1.5% property tax surcharge. The first $100,000 of assessed value for all residential properties is exempt from the surcharge. For the average home in Milton ($507,054 assessment), the cost will be $7.17 per month or $86 per year. For homes assessed at $300K, the cost will be $3.50 per month or $42 per year; homes assessed at $400K will be $5.25 per month or $63 per year.

Additional exemptions from the surcharge are available for low-income homeowners (family of four making below $78,240 annually are fully exempt) and low-to-moderate income seniors (one person senior homeowner making less than $68,460 or a two person senior household making less than $78,240 are fully exempt).

Milton has a long history of preserving our historic and natural resources. The Suffolk Resolves House, Turner’s Pond, Popes Pond, Atherton Street Fire Station, and Unquity House are all examples of our town taking action to maintain Milton’s exceptional quality of life.

We are proud to be ranked as the second best small town in America to live by CNN/Money Magazine. But we must preserve our special nature and make wise investments for our future. It has been more than 40 years since we last purchased open space to improve our town. We have let historic buildings deteriorate due to lack of resources. And many young people and town employees can no longer afford to live in Milton.

We have numerous opportunities in coming years to continue to improve our town. Milton’s parks and playgrounds need attention. Our athletic fields throughout town need capital improvements. And we need to address our deteriorating historic fire stations. CPA can address these and other needs in Milton. A YES vote on CPA will provide Milton the resources to invest in our community.