WORCESTER – Voters in Worcester have elected to join 189 Massachusetts communities, including 34 cities, in the Community Preservation Act. Voters approved the measure, ballot question five, with 18,976 (52.13%) voting yes and 17,426 (47.87%) voting no.
The question being affirmed will add a 1.5% surcharge to property taxes starting in July 2023. The funds will be held in a local trust fund and only eligible for Community Preservation Act eligible projects.
Eligible projects include:
- Open Space Conservation and Outdoor Recreation Projects
- Community Housing Projects
- Open Space Agricultural Projects
- Historic Projects
Funds are partially matched by state government funding. Projects are selected by a local board and require approval by relevant state agencies applicable to the project.
Prior to the 2022 election, communities that approved the Community Preservation Act represented 54% of municipalities and 66% of Massachusetts residents.
