Milton residents launch the YES for Milton Campaign in favor of Community Preservation Act

Community Preservation Act to appear on the November 3 ballot

A group of Milton residents from all corners of the town have come together to launch a campaign in support of Milton adopting the Community Preservation Act this fall by voting Yes on Question 3. The Yes for Milton committee is co-chaired by Carolyn Cahill from Precinct 1 and Joe Reardon from Precinct 7 with Kristine Hodlin from Precinct 2 serving as campaign treasurer.

In 2000, Republican Governor A. Paul Cellucci signed the Community Preservation Act into law. Today 177 communities – over 50% of the cities and towns in Massachusetts, representing over 62% of the state’s population – have adopted the CPA and not one has repealed it. CPA funds are raised locally, spent locally, and receive a state match that is expected to equal approximately 25% of local funds raised next year. Proceeds may be used to enhance and conserve open spaces; improve and restore parks, playgrounds and athletic fields; preserve and rehabilitate historic properties and districts; and identify solutions to meet affordable housing needs.

“We envision that with the CPA in Milton, we would have the resources to make our open spaces more accessible, improve our athletic fields throughout town, revitalize our historic structures, and proactively engage with real estate developers to create affordable units that work for everyone in town,” said Joe Reardon, co-chair of Yes for Milton.

Question 3, which was approved for the ballot with the support of 75% of Milton Town Meeting members on July 28, will ask Milton voters to support a modest average annual surcharge of $84 per homeowner. Homeowners can calculate their individual estimated CPA surcharge by visiting https://www.yesformilton.com/calculator. Low- to moderate-income households, including seniors on fixed incomes, would be exempt from paying the surcharge.

Passage of the CPA ensures that Milton will receive matching funds from the state each year. These funds are collected by Registries of Deeds statewide but are only disbursed to communities that have adopted the CPA. Most of Milton’s neighboring communities – including Boston, Quincy, Braintree, Randolph, Canton, Needham, Wellesley, and Weston – have voted to adopt the CPA since its inception 20 years ago.

“Every year, Milton is ranked as one of the best places to live. Adopting the CPA will enable us to preserve what is special about our town and our history while addressing some important future needs that will make Milton even better,” said Carolyn Cahill, co-chair of Yes for Milton.

Question 3 will appear on the November 3 ballot and on absentee and mail-in ballots for this year’s presidential election. Voters can learn more about the YES for Milton campaign by visiting https://www.yesformilton.com/.