Community Preservation Act (CPA)

The Community Preservation Act (CPA) was created by state law (MGL Chapter 44B). It allows cities and towns to adopt a property tax surcharge to help fund projects that preserve the character of the community. Springfield voters adopted the CPA on November 8, 2016 and it went into effect on July 1, 2017.

The CPA fund is created via a 1.5% surcharge on real estate taxes for residential, commercial, and industrial properties.  These charges first appeared on Fiscal Year 2018's 3^rd and 4^th quarter real estate bills. A statewide Community Preservation Act Trust Fund is also distributed to municipalities and is funded by Registry of Deeds fees.

Yes. CPA funds can only be used for Open Space & Recreation, Historic Preservation, and Community Housing. The Department of Revenue (DOR) Community Preservation Fund Allowable Spending Chart is a handy quick reference. The Community Preservation Coalition is a statewide resource and offers a detailed look at allowable uses.

Applications for the CPA 2022 grant funding cycle are now closed. Check back in February 2023 for information about next year’s funding.

The applicants below have submitted a project for funding in 2022 and their application is available to read by clicking on the linked title in the first column. Applicants are asked to make a five minute presentation to the Springfield Community Preservation Committee and the public is invited to watch on the scheduled dates below. The Committee will continue to meet remotely until further notice on the first Tuesday of each month and will add dates during the application season. The schedule of meetings can be found on the City calendar and can be viewed live on the Committee Facebook page at 6:00 p.m and is recorded for later viewing.  www.facebook.com/SpringfieldCommunityPreservationCommittee

If you need assistance with an application, please send an email to cpc@springfiedcityhall.com or telephone 413-530-1268

Comments on any of the applications are accepted for consideration while the Committee deliberates.The Committee will then select projects to recommend to the Springfield City Council for funding. We cannot predict their schedule and it may be late September before the Council hears the recommendations. Send comments by e-mail to cpc@springfieldcityhall.com or by regular mail to Springfield Community Preservation Committee,36 Court Street,Springfield, MA 01103.

Implementation and recommending projects to the City Council for funding of the CPA in Springfield is overseen by the City's 9-member Community Preservation Committee. Representatives are appointed from each of the departments below and three neighborhood appointees by the City Council President.

• LaMar Cook, Neighborhood representative;
• Gloria DeFillipo, Planning Board representative;
• Juanita Martinez, Conservation Commission representative;
• Robert McCarroll, Chair, Springfield Preservation Trust representative;
• Rhonda Sherrell, Neighborhood representative;
• Judith Crowell, Historical Commission representative;
• Willie Thomas, Housing Authority representative;
• Clinton Harris, Park Commission representative
• Ralph Slate, Neighborhood representative

Members serve a three year term and are eligible for two consecutive three-year terms. Two Neighborhood Representative vacancies will be available in 2023.

• By email: cpc@springfieldcityhall.com
• By telephone 413-530-1268
• On Facebook: www.facebook.com/SpringfieldCommunityPreservationCommittee
• By mail: Community Preservation Committee, City Hall, 36 Court Street, Springfield MA 01103
• To reach the Administrative Consultant: klee@Springfieldcityhall.com

FAQs

• Are there homeowner exemptions to the 1.5% surcharge?

YES! Households that qualify for low-income, or low or moderate-income housing, as defined by M.G.L. c. 44B, Section 2 are exempt from the CPA surcharge in its entirety.  But you must fill out an application. The deadline for exemptions was 4/1/22 and will reopen again in January 2023.

• Where can I find information about my historic home?

The Massachusetts Cultural Resource Information System (MACRIS) database (inventory) has surveyed properties compiled by the Massachusetts Historic Commission (MHC) http://mhc-macris.net/

You can search local historic properties through the 1939 Works Progress Administration (WPA) https://www.springfieldpreservation.org/wpa/

• Are there guidelines for restoring or repairing a historic home?

YES! The Secretary of the Interior's Standards has an extensive website for treatment of historic properties https://www.nps.gov/tps/standards/treatment-guidelines-2017.pdf

• Is there a list of projects previously funded? YES!

2021 CPC Funding Recommendations

2020 CPC Funding Recommendations

2019 CPC Funding Recommendations

2018 CPC Funding Recommendations

• Where can I view an application?

Applications open in the Spring of each year and are now closed. See the 2022 application and cover sheet below. We hope to have a fillable form available for the 2023 cycle.  

• 2022 Application
• 2022 Application Cover Sheet 

City of Springfield 2021 Community Preservation Annual Meeting

City of Springfield Community Preservation Plan 2022

Department of Revenue (DOR) Community Preservation Fund Allowable Spending Chart

Community Preservation Act: http://www.communitypreservation.org/text-legislation

Community Preservation Ordinance: https://ecode360.com/32319903?highlight=community%20preservation%20committee#32319903

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