The Preliminary Application period for FY2027 has closed. 
Please check back in August 2026. 

Committee Contact: Christine Bongiorno, Deputy Town Manager Operations, cbongiorno@town.arlington.ma.us

Community Preservation Act Committee

The Community Preservation Act (CPA) allows participating cities and towns to reserve dedicated funds for public investments in open space and outdoor recreational facilities, affordable housing, and historic preservation. Arlington voters approved adoption of the Community Preservation Act (CPA) in November 2014 and the first CPA grants were approved by Annual Town Meeting in 2016.

CPA investments are financed through the Community Preservation Fund, which receives approximately $2.4 million in annual revenue from a property tax surcharge (1.5% of the net tax levy) and matching distributions from the Massachusetts Community Preservation Trust Fund.

The Community Preservation Act Committee (CPAC), required by the CPA under MGL Chapter 44B and formed by Town Meeting, is tasked with evaluating Arlington's needs in the CPA project areas and making recommendations directly to Town Meeting on how CPA funding should be spent. The CPA funds are disbursed and administered as a grant program.

Community Preservation Act Committee Reports to Town Meeting

2025 Report to Town Meeting (FY2026)
2024 Report to Town Meeting (FY2025) 
2023 Report to Town Meeting (FY2024)
2022 Report to Town Meeting (FY2023)
2021 Report to Town Meeting (FY2022)
2020 Report to Special Town Meeting (FY2021)
2020 Report to Town Meeting (FY2021)
2019 Report to Town Meeting (updated 4/24 to include images) (FY2020)
2018 Report to Town Meeting (FY2019)
2017 Report to Town Meeting (FY2018)
2016 Report to Special Town Meeting (FY2017)
2016 Report to Town Meeting (FY2017)

Helpful Links

For more information on CPA Legislation, click here.
For more information on Arlington's CPA Bylaw, click here.
To view the Department of Revenue's CPA Allowable Spending Chart, click here.
More information about the CPA surcharge can be found on the Assessor's CPA page.

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