By Marc Hymovitz

Seventeen more communities adopted the Community Preservation Act between mid-April and May 18, bringing the total number of CPA communities to 99.

Of the 26 communities voting this spring, all but two have adopted the provisions of the 2000 law. The ballot initiative only failed in Raynham and Topsfield.

The CPA, which went into effect in December 2000, allows cities and towns to ask voters to institute a property tax surcharge of up to 3 percent to fund open space acquisition as well as affordable housing and historic preservation projects. A local Community Preservation Commission decides how to distribute CPA funds locally.

Cities and towns that adopt the CPA receive matching funds from a state fund established by new fees on property transactions. The matching grants would range from 5 percent to 100 percent of the amount raised locally by the property tax surcharge.

To date, all communities have received a 100 percent match in each of the three distribution rounds, in 2002, 2003 and 2004. The next state match distribution is scheduled for October 2005.

CPAs adopted April 20-May 18

Community Surcharge Exemptions
Belchertown 1.5% Low income and first $100,000
Brewster 2% None
Bridgewater 2% Low income and first $100,000
Dennis 3% None
Eastham 3% None
Falmouth 3% None
Hamilton 2% Low income and first $100,000
Harwich 3% None
Kingston 3% Low income and first $100,000
Manchester 3% None
Mashpee 3% None
Orleans 3% None
Sandwich 3% None
Truro 3% None
Wellfleet 3% None
Wenham 3% Low income and first $100,000
Yarmouth 3% None