Worcester voters approve Community Preservation Act
Photo | Timothy Doyle
Worcester City Hall
In Tuesday’s election, Worcester voters approved the Community Preservation Act 18,976 to 17,426, according to unofficial results posted at 10:35 p.m. by the City of Worcester.
The CPA levies a 1.5% surcharge on property taxes to acquire, create, and preserve open space, recreational spaces, and low-and moderate-income housing, as well as the acquisition, rehabilitation, and preservation of historical assets, according to the Worcester Regional Research Bureau report, “Preserving Worcester’s Past, Present, and Future?”
The WRRB estimates in fiscal 2023 the total amount of surcharge raised in Worcester would be approximately $3.7 million.
Three groups are exempted from the surcharge in the bill. Homeowners making less than 80% of area median income and senior homeowners making less than full AMI would be exempt.The first $100,000 of residential, commercial, and industrial property value taxed would be exempt.
The median residential property in Worcester would have an annual surcharge of $43.46, while the surcharge on the median commercial and industrial property would be $174.23, according to the WRRB.
The Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce opposed the measure citing poor timing for additional taxes, a state surplus, and American Rescue Plan Act funds available for projects that could be funded by the CPA.
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