As you may know, Town Meeting voted on Monday, April 27th, to approve Article 13 (the Community Preservation Act). This sends the CPA proposal to a town-wide ballot vote this November. If you would like to see the roll call vote, contact the Town Clerk, Laura Gemme, here or view at this link(2:50:47)
Reading Votes previously advocated against this article (see communication here), and the Town Meeting floor debate highlighted exactly why the CPA is a financial risk for Reading.
Here is what you need to know before you vote in November:
1. It Will Increase Existing Taxes
When asked if the CPA would allow the town to lower its annual tax increases by offsetting existing Capital Plan projects, proponents gave an emphatic “No.” Instead, funds are likely to be spent on projects entirely outside current town priorities.
2. It Can’t Deliver Full State Matching Funds
Proponents claimed the average state matching contribution is around 22%. In reality, the most recent year contribution was 18%—and the state contribution dropped to just 11% in fiscal year 2020.
3. Reading Is in a Compounding Fiscal Crisis
At Town Meeting, the Town Accountant confirmed that Reading faces a structural budget deficit of at least $7.5M, and that’s just to keep level spending. Without major spending cuts, the town will also put a Proposition 2.5 override on the November ballot. Forcing voters to face both the CPA and an override simultaneously puts our entire town budget at risk.
4. The 1% Surcharge is Just the Start
While the current proposal outlines a 1% property tax surcharge, proponents have already openly discussed using this as an “entry point” to eventually raise the surcharge to the state maximum of 3%.
5. An Unaffordable Trend
Reading is already facing an affordability crisis. State proposals to increase local option taxes (like excise taxes) are a distraction from the state’s failure to increase traditional local aid.
What You Can Do . . .
- Get informed, stick to the facts, and talk to your neighbors . . . now BEFORE the November vote! 🗣📢
Between recent debt exclusions, our property taxes have already jumped by nearly $1,000. This upcoming override is shaping up to add another $1,000 or more. While the CPA’s 1% surcharge sounds small (roughly $130 a year), it’s compounding on top of skyrocketing grocery, utility, and healthcare costs, and once the CPA is approved, it is nearly impossible to repeal.
We need fiscal discipline now more than ever. Stay tuned for updates on how to get involved.
Until next time . . .