Framingham Council Expands CPA Study Committee Size

FRAMINGHAM, MA — The Framingham City Council has voted to expand the size of a committee formed to study whether the city should adopt the Community Preservation Act. Communities that adopt the CPA typically use a property tax surcharge to fund open space preservation, affordable housing, and other items.

The City Council on Oct. 15 voted to convene a nine-member committee to study CPA adoption, and twelve people ended up applying. At Thursday's Council meeting, Chair Dennis Giombetti said all the applicants were outstanding, and so moved to expand the size of the committee to 12.

The Community Preservation Act became Massachusetts law in September 2000, and was designed to help cities and towns preserve open space, build affordable housing, and preserve historic properties. Communities can adopt a property tax surcharge can be up to 3 percent, but CPA communities can also tap into a statewide Community Preservation Trust Fund.

Locally, Sudbury, Wayland, Southborough, and Ashland have all adopted the CPA. About half of all cities and towns in Massachusetts have adopted it. Voters must approve the CPA by referendum.

Here are the 12 people selected for the CPA study committee:

• Bob Berman, Lanewood Avenue, District 3
• Sheila Cusolito, Turner Road, Distirct 1
• Patrick Dunne, Old Connecticut Path, District 4
• Eve Lewinger, Londonderry Road, District N/A
• Thomas Mahoney, Hastings Street, District 5
• Stephen Meltzer, Duggan Drive, District 6
• Elizabeth Roy, Grove Street, District 3
• Richard Shapiro, Brooke Meadow Circle, District 3
• Doug Stephan, Edmands Road, District 1
• Fred Wallace, Eaton Road, District 1
• Amy Weader, Amy Road, District 3
• Steven Weisman, Stearns Street, District 2