Better Late Than Never

LETTER TO THE EDITOR October 20, 2014

Better Late Than Never

T

he town of Danvers is coming late to t he table. One hundred fifty-eight communities in Massachusetts have already adopted the Community Preservation Act.

Enacted in 2000, CPA has funded approximately 1,250 outdoor recreation projects, 3,600 historic preservations, 8,500 affordable housing units, and preservation of 21,838 acres of open space.

With CPA funds, for example, the city of Peabody purchased the Marquado property in South Peabody ($70,250), Valley Circle land ($575,000), and Tillie’s Farm ($2.6 million). Funding also made possible the Leather Workers Museum, Riverwalk, Scouting Way, and relocation of the 1874 Sutton-Pierson house.

Boxford’s funds went toward the purchase of Anvil Farm land (28 acres), Haynes land (76 acres), and a bond on Sawyer-Richardson property (135 acres).

In 2012, Hamilton received $75,000 to develop open space and recreational facilities at the Patten Homestead property.

With $250,000, Rowley placed a permanent Conservation Restriction on 78.86 acres in the Great Marsh. The town also saved Pingree Farm (27.6 acres of farmland and woods), and with $2.75 million, it purchased the historic Bradstreet Farm (120 acres).

Newburyport restored Maudsley State Park and protected agricultural land known as the Common Pasture.

Middleton used funds to restore Memorial Hall, Old Town Hall, and the 1878 Tramp House.

Wenham rehabilitated its 152-year-old Town Hall as well as the fence around the Civil War Monument and the portico, cupola, and roof of the Hamilton-Wenham Community House.

Some communities—including Georgetown, Hamilton, Middleton, Peabody, and Wenham— have even used funds to preserve historic town records.

For its first 12 projects, the city of Beverly will receive more than $1million.

Examples of CPA trust fund distributions are: Hamilton, $1.4 million; Georgetown, $2.5 million; Boxford and Concord, $4 million each; Peabody and Chatham, $4.5 million each, North Andover, $9.5 million; and Weston, $11 million.

The Community Preservation Coalition says CPA funds stimulate both local and state economies. Housing opportunities expand. Construction increases. And preservation of valuable landscapes, historic structures, and artifacts boosts the tourism industry.

Danvers can no longer afford to delay. The Community Preservation Act should be made an integral part of its smart growth plan.