SOUTHWICK – Residents received their annual census this past week, which includes the usual household and voter questions, as well as something a little different this year.
The census contains a survey regarding the Southwick Community Preservation Act (CPA), which is currently administered by the Southwick Community Preservation Committee (CPC). The Board of Selectmen voted to include the survey in the census to gauge whether or not residents support continuing the CPA, which is a 3 percent tax assessed to homeowners.
“Your input is very important in determining Southwick’s direction towards the CPA,” states the town website, which includes links to items that have been prepared to present data showing where CPA funds come from, how they have been spent, and what would happen if the CPA surcharge was changed from today’s 3 percent to 1 percent.
The current CPA has $100,000 exemption for homeowners. This means that the first $100,000 of valuation is exempt from the CPA surcharge. Businesses currently have no exemption.
RRJ, LLC has the highest assessed value listed on the town website at $3,323,900. The current CPA calculation $1,689.21. The CPA calculation with a $100,000 exemption would be $1,638.39.
By adjusting the surcharge for homeowners from 3 percent to 1% percent, Southwick would lose $167,525. In 2013, the town received $251,288 in CPA funds and would receive $88,783 if the percentage was lowered.
In November, the Board of Selectmen, Finance Committee, and Community CPC met to discuss a recommendation by the Finance Committee to place a question on the 2016 presidential election ballot to reconsider the CPA tax.
CPC member Dennis Clark said it wasn’t that simple.
“There’s no reconsideration,” said Clark. “It’s lower it or eliminate it. It would have to be a specific question.”
Clark also pointed out that a ballot question must first be approved by Town Meeting.
Selectmen Chairman Russell Fox said the CPA is “a great program,” but that “things have changed.”
“We picked up some serious debt with the school project and we know there are some taxes coming up with the sewers,” said Fox.
Fox suggested a survey in the census or a non-binding ballot question on the next local election.
Clark and CPC Chairperson Chris Pratt were concerned that would be an opportunity for educating the public with those options.
Fox said a pro and con type of wording could be included. Clark previously suggested reducing the tax to one-percent rather than eliminate it but he said this would reduce the town’s CPA grant opportunities by 75 percent.
Residents are asked to fill out the census and survey and return promptly.
