Michael Furman, Westford Resident
Defeat Article 10 – It Is Bad Business For Westford
Let me start out with a disclaimer. I am a member of the CPC (Community Preservation Committee) and the Parks & Rec Commission. I am submitting this opinion as a private citizen, however. Article 10 which would roll back the CPC funding from a 3% to 2% surcharge is the epitome of the penny wise pound foolish axiom. In simple terms, if passed would save the average homeowner about $85 per year while reducing the CPC funding by about $1.2 million dollars. It would decrease the taxpayers contribution to the CPC by about $900,000 but also reduce the state matching money by about $200,000 – $300,000 per year. This additional lost revenue cannot, and will not, add a penny to the Westford general fund, so the town gets no immediate benefit. It would require a town vote on a Prop 2 ½ override for a tax increase and that is unlikely to happen. In addition, senior citizens and low income homeowners can apply for an exemption to the 3% surcharge.
So, it is a choice of saving about $85 per year at the expense of the town losing $1.2 million dollars to assist for recreation, open space, historical preservation and community housing. I urge everyone that is able to, come to Special Town Meeting and please help defeat Article 10 to keep Westford the wonderful community it is and always should be.
Just this past fiscal year the CPC approved and the Annual Town Meeting also approved the following, none of which would have ever been financed without the CPC funding.
Historic Preservation and Town Infrastructure
- Town Hall Slate Roof Replacement and Cupola Restoration: $1,056,000
- First Parish Church United Meetinghouse (Phase I): $591,000 (partially funded from a $1.04M request)
- Westford Museum Accessibility Upgrades and Exterior Restoration Design: $290,000
- Historical Records Preservation Project: $100,000
- J.V. Fletcher Library Skylight Restoration: $60,000
Affordable Housing Initiatives:
- $400,000 for the Affordable Housing Development Fund/Trust
- $50,000 for WEWRAP Rental Assistance
- $15,000 for the Housing Production Plan Update.
Recreational and Facility Upgrades:
- $603,000 for Roudenbush Tennis Courts
- $150,000 for the 4-H Horse Arena
- $100,000 for Freedom Park
- $40,000 for Jack Walsh Parking
- $34,000 for Graniteville Ball Field safety
- $23,751 for the Community Gardens Sun Shelter
Open Space and Environmental Studies
- $20,000 for the Forge Pond Drawdown Improvement Study
- $20,000 for Forge Pond Herbicide Treatment.
