Not a group to take no for an answer, members of the Open Space Action Committee want residents to re-think their opposition to a tax surcharge designed to promote history and recreation

In 2006, Town Meeting rejected adoption of the state Community Preservation Act by a 26-vote margin. Adoption of the act would allow the town to impose up to a 3 percent surcharge on property taxes that, partially matched by state funds, would be used to fund local projects promoting open space and recreation, historic preservation, and affordable housing.

Open Space Action Committee Chair Laurene Gerrior said the group wants to create a board approval to create a board to inform taxpayers about the benefits of approving the act.

Without adoption of the state act, the group says grant opportunities are being missed. 

Committee member Rosemary Smith said money earned from the act could be used to restore historic buildings, purchase open space for recreation, upgrade ball fields and playgrounds, and be used for affordable housing projects.

Board Chair Naida Parker asked the committee to return with a memorandum detailing the proposed board’s goals. She said they had a difficult task ahead.

“We would be asking [residents] to increase taxes at a time when they’re still collecting their thoughts from the last override we passed,” Parker said.

Selectman Brad Morse noted he would not back approval of the act, though the committee should be allowed to present their case.

“Personally, I’m against the [Community Preservation Act]. Being a large landowner in town, it’s just another tax on my land,” he said. “But if they want to put it forward, put it forward.”

Committee member Susan Teal agreed with Morse, saying no one wants to pay additional taxes. The cost to residents, about $30 or $40 more per year, she estimated, is worth it.

“All the towns around us have the [Community Preservation Act]…They have reaped millions of dollars,” Teal said.

In Massachusetts, 155 towns have adopted the act. Teal said 30 more towns are in the process of considering the measure. So far, Dartmouth has earned more than $2 million, Carver has earned more than $1 million, Marion more than $800,000, and Acushnet more than $600,000 in act funds, Teal said.

For every local dollar raised, the state will match that with a grant in the amount of 26 percent of local surcharge revenue. Smith said the state is expected to raise that percentage next year, to 40 percent or higher.

“Even at twenty-six percent, that’s more than you can get out of any other investment,” Smith said.