Public funding for a project to repaint and restore the Old Whaling Church in Edgartown is on hold after the discovery that a work estimate from the Vineyard Trust had been altered.
Community Preservation Act
June 14, 2021
Noah Asimow
State and local police are investigating discrepancies in public funding requests submitted by the Vineyard Trust for restoration and maintenance work on two landmark properties.
2009
July 2, 2009
The Massachusetts Community Preservation Act has been around for a short eight years, but in that relatively short span Island towns have come to depend on funding raised through the program to preserve open space, renovate and improve public parks and create affordable housing.
The act allows towns to assess a three per cent surcharge on property tax bills, which is then matched by the state through a county deeds tax paid on real estate transfers. In the early years of the program, the state matched the local portion 100 per cent.
May 21, 2009
It is a violation of the Massachusetts Ethics Law for a member of a town community preservation committee who also sits on a private nonprofit board to participate in a decision that grants Community Preservation Act funds to the nonprofit.
This is the opinion of Edgartown town counsel Ronald H. Rappaport, who was recently asked by the town administrator to research the question.
2008
September 8, 2008
In just over seven years, funds generated through the Massachusetts Community Preservation Act on the Vineyard have been used for a wide variety of projects — including the renovation of historic lighthouses and bandstands, the creation of affordable housing and the renovation and improvement of public parks.
2007
December 27, 2007
As community preservation committees across the Island prepare their recommendations for the coming fiscal year, they report growing interest by Vineyarders in the possibilities offered by Community Preservation Act funding.
More than $3 million in requests are under consideration by preservation committees on the Island.
Town officials who oversee CPA funds have seen a surge in activity and applications.
September 13, 2007
The Oak Bluffs Community Preservation Committee (CPC) is pleased to announce that application forms are now available to request funding for projects for historic preservation, affordable housing and open space/recreation for the fiscal year that begins in July 2008.
Requests for proposals are being accepted through Oct. 5, 2007.
2001
March 15, 2001
At their spring special town meeting this week, Aquinnah voters spoke with one voice and became the second Island town to approve the Community Preservation Act.
Citizens approved the act with plenty of conviction; the article passed unanimously after a short discussion that included no criticisms of the measure.
"This took 12 years coming out of Beacon Hill. It's a significant act, and I think we need to try it," said Aquinnah selectman Carl Widdis.
