ALDERMEN TO DISCUSS COMMUNITY PRESERVATION ACT, SUBMIT RECOMMENDATIONS THIS WEEK

"Somerville voters

approved the CPA by a margin of three-to-one, further demonstrating our

community's commitment to maintaining and improving our open space, creating

new affordable housing opportunities, and preserving our unique historic

character," said Mayor Curtatone.  "As we

work to form a Committee in the coming weeks, I look forward to engaging

discussions from representatives in each of these areas of expertise, and to

forming recommendations to strengthen our commitment to these projects."

"This is an important step in our advancement and growth as

a community," said Ward 6 Alderman Rebekah Gewirtz. "With this ordinance,

we're proving that our residents and stakeholders truly have a key role to play

in that development, and that is really something, to know that the public is

so invested in their community."

The CPA was passed in 2000 as an optional measure to

support funding for projects related to historic preservation, open space, or

affordable housing in individual cities and towns.  Somerville voters favored the CPA ballot

question in November 2012 with a majority of 75%.

The CPA surcharge - 1.5% on the total net tax of each

property within the City - will apply to the FY 2014 tax bill starting with the

first quarter bill issued on July 1, 2013 but revenues will not be available

until the next fiscal year.  The Commonwealth will also match whatever

funds are raised in the City, though a match percentage has not yet been

determined.

There are several exemptions from the CPA surcharge that are

available.  The first $100,000 of total assessed value will be exempt from

the CPA calculation on all taxable properties.  In addition, taxpayers with

a total full or gross value of $100,000 or less will be exempt from the CPA

surcharge altogether.  Low and moderate income taxpayers may also be

exempt from the surcharge upon application to the Board of Assessors based upon

area wide median income guidelines established by HUD and CPA

regulations.  Applications will be accepted by the Assessors after the Q3

tax bill is issued around December 31, 2013.  A new application will be

required each fiscal year after the mailing of the Q3 tax bill.

The funds accrued through the ordinance will be discussed

by the nine voting members of the CPC, which will be formed in the coming weeks.

This committee will be charged with the vetting of all projects submitted by

application for CPC funding.  Final

recommendations will be made by the Committee to the Mayor and the Board of

Aldermen.

CPC members will be selected according to the ordinance,

and will have a term of three years. Per the ordinance, the Committee will

include one member of the Planning Board, one member of the Conservation Commission,

one member of the Historical Preservation Commission, one member of the Parks

and Open Space Department, one member of the Somerville Housing Authority and

four members of the public selected by the Mayor, and confirmed by the BOA, and

not affiliated with the operations of the City through appointment or election.

No member shall be allowed to serve more than 2 terms, and the first members of

the committee will have only 2 or 1 year terms in order to properly stagger the

terms. The CPC will recommend projects using CPA funds, with final

authorization being made by the Mayor.