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Governor Cellucci Signs Community Preservation Act New Funding Now Available to Cities and Towns (Boston, MA) : Today, in a long- awaited move forward for open space protection in Massachusetts , Governor Cellucci signed the Community Preservation Act (House Bill 5370) into law at a ceremony in Waltham. The bill, which has been debated by lawmakers k for nearly 18 years, grants Massachusetts' 351 cities and towns the right to raise local property taxes to fund land conservation, historic preservation, and affordable housing . It also provides significant matching funds to participating communities . " The Community Preservation Act provides a powerful new weapon in the fight to protect our communities from suburban sprawl, " said Whitney Hatch, regional director of the Trust for Public Land, a national conservation organization. " By enacting this bill, Governor Cellucci and the Legislature are taking an important step to stem the tide of unplanned development that is sweeping Massachusetts . " Currently, 44 acres of open land in Massachusetts is developed every day. To fund the state' s matching program, CPA imposes new fees on filings at the registry of deeds and land court . Homestead declarations , which are often made by the elderly to protect their homes from foreclosure or in bankruptcy proceedings , are exempt from the new fees . Based on fees paid to the registry .last year, this increase is expected to generate roughly $26 million per year- all of which will be directed to participating communities . " This is truly an achievement to celebrate . The Trust for Public Land applauds both the Legislature and Governor Cellucci for developing a fair and effective bill that will protect the fabric of our communities . We would also like to recognize the committee chairs , Representative John Rogers and Senator Marion Walsh, as well as Secretary Bob Durand for their steadfast commitment to passing the Community Preservation Act , " said Hatch. In order for a municipality to qualify for state matching funds , Town Meeting or City Council must first vote to place a property tax surcharge of no more than 3 percent on the ballot . Alternatively, CPA may be placed on the ballot through a petition signed by at least 5 percent of the city or town' s registered voters . Once CPA is placed on the ballot , local voters must then vote to approve it . Unlike Proposition 2 V2 overrides , adoption of CPA requires a majority vote locally, not a two -thirds vote . In addition, participating cities and towns can opt out of CPA after five years and end the surcharge . A minimum of 10 percent of the annual revenues raised through the surcharge must be used for each of three core community concerns : land protection, historic preservation, and affordable housing . The remaining 70 percent can be allocated for any combination of these three uses . If every city and town adopts CPA by implementing a 3 percent property tax surcharge, nearly $200 million will be raised every year for open space protection, historic preservation, and affordable housing, according to the State House News Service .