Community Preservation Committee

The Community Preservation Act (MGL Chapter 44B) allows any city or town in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to adopt a property tax surcharge of up to 3%, the revenues from which are matched by State funds.  This fund can only be used to:

• Preserve open space and historic sites
• Create affordable housing 
• Develop outdoor recreational facilities

In 2008 Gloucester citizens voted to adopt the CPA with a 1% tax surcharge.  As required by the CPA a local Community Preservation Committee was formed to make recommendations on CPA projects to the Mayor and the City Council.

CPC Responsibilities

• Develop a Community Preservation Plan. To see Gloucester's plan visit: Gloucester's Community Preservation Plan
• Solicit public input to maintain that Plan.  The CPC must hold at least one public hearing annually to get input from the general public, and use that input to keep Gloucester's Community Preservation Plan up to date.
• Review and Recommend CPA Projects.  The CPC accepts project proposals from the community and reviews them with the aim of selecting the most compelling projects for recommendation to the Mayor and the City Council.
• Keep records and report on the CPA Budget.  The CPC is required to keep records of all CPC meetings, proposals, and recommendations, and to submit a CPA budget annually to the City Council.

Agendas & Minutes

Agendas are available prior to CPC meetings.
Most Recent Agenda | View All

Minutes are available upon approval of the CPC.
Most Recent Minutes | View All

Contacting the CPC

To reach the CPC please contact Gloucester's Grants Manager at Community Development or call (978) 325-5230.

Applying for CPA Funds

The 2022 CPA Funding Round will take place according to the following schedule:

Project Eligibility Forms due: Tuesday March 8, 2022
Completed Applications due: Tuesday May 3, 2022
Estimated Project Award: December 2022 / January 2023

CPC Eligibility Forms and Applications must be submitted by visiting Neighborly, a web-based grant management system.  Please visit Neighborly to register and complete the required forms.  For questions or assistance please contact Gloucester's Grant Manager at Community Development.

Helpful links for Potential CPA Project Applicants

• CPA Overview
• Is Our Project Allowable?
• CPA Success Stories
• Sample Application: Avis Murray Boulevard Tennis Courts
• Many more helpful articles are available by visiting Community Preservation Coalition

CPA Projects Approved in 2021

• Annisquam Village Church - Exterior Restoration 
• First Parish Burial Ground - Stone Restoration
• Gloucester 400 - Photo Restoration and Archiving
• Gloucester Meetinghouse Foundation - Meetinghouse Green Restoration
• Hammond Castle Museum - Archway Restoration
• Ocean Alliance - Engineering and Permit Study
• Sawyer Free Library - Saunders House Murals
• Schooner Adventure - Rudder Restoration
• Trustees of Reservations - Ravenswood  Parking Improvements 
• OFF CYCLE - Action Inc - Tenant Based Rental Assistance 2022

All CPA Projects

The Community Preservation Coalition maintains a database of all projects funded by the CPA, in Gloucester and other towns and cities in the Commonwealth.

Members