Open Space and Recreation   Committee 41 South Main Street • Randolph, MA 02368 mpic_randolph@yahoo.com

The committee decided on its recommendations based on several other factors.

1. CPA is an additional source of funding, up to 100% state matching funds, for:

 

• High priority projects the town will need to fund anyway;
• Qualifying projects that would otherwise be funded from the town’s operating budget;
• Lower priority projects which have little chance of being implemented in the current fiscal climate but which can result in a significant improvement in the quality of life of Randolph residents.

 

2. Unlike other state programs like the School Building Assistance Program, the state grants and delivers CPA matching funds to towns on an annual basis. Randolph is in complete control of when and how these funds are used, and can earn interest on unspent funds accumulating in the CPA "account.

3. Since the inception of CPA in 2000, residents of Randolph have contributed approximately $600,000 to the state CPA trust fund used to match local CPA funds. In the years to come, this amount will increase. In effect, Randolph is helping fund worthwhile projects in other towns while receiving no benefits. In the first year of adoption of CPA, Randolph could realize a net gain of funds received from the state fund versus fees paid into it.

4. The $100,000 exemption that the committee is recommending reduces the burden on all homeowners. In addition, the surcharge will not affect qualifying senior citizens and low-income individuals – those who are least able to pay for the CPA can be exempted from it through the income exemption we have included.

 

5. CPA funds do not need to be used in the year in which they are received. They can be set aside in reserve funds for future use. This provides flexibility in funding projects and will help ensure that projects are funded in a thoughtful manner. The state pays the matching funds based only on what was collected in the previous fiscal year. There is no requirement that any money is spent in order to receive the matching funds.

 

6. The Committee, through research and observation, believes that CPA will not hinder the town’s ability to raise additional funds in the future through operational and debt exclusion overrides, if necessary, because:

• Voters consider overrides on their own merits, depending on how they are packaged and promoted, and how much is requested.
• CPA funds may actually mitigate the need for the town to seek overrides for certain projects pertaining to open space, housing, historical preservation, and recreation. In addition, as an additional source of funding, CPA may relieve pressure for future overrides and help lower the town’s indebtedness.

Adopting the CPA can actually help us with other sources of funding since many state funding programs give bonus points to communities that have adopted the CPA. Programs for which CPA communities receive extra points include:

        Public Works Economic Development Program (EOT)
        Community Development Action Grant Program (DHCD)
        Transit Node Grant Program (DHCD)
        State Revolving Fund (EOEA - DEP)
        DEP Brownfields Funding (EOEA - DEP)
        Self-Help Program (EOEA)
        Urban Self-Help Program (EOEA)
        Agricultural Preservation Restriction Program (EOEA - DAR)
        Land Acquisition Programs (EOEA - DCR, DAR, DFG)
        Off-Street Parking Program (EOAF)

7. Finally, the Committee feels that it is important for Town Meeting to take action now. The longer  the town delays voting on CPA, the more money it "leaves on the table" and the longer it will take to begin badly needed and worthwhile projects.