Robbins Farm
 Almanac

Page 4                            Spring 2001 - Volume 1, Chapter 1

By Roly Chaput, Vice-President

The recently enacted Community Preservation Act (CPA) can be a benefit to plans for upgrading and improving Robbins Farm.

Signed by Governor Celluci last September, the CPA enables cities and towns across Massachusetts the opportunity to tax themselves and receive three important benefits to the quality of life:

1. The addition of open space. There is a lack of open space due to new construction on fertile land.

2. The construction of affordable housing. Arlington along with most cities and towns does not meet the 10% rule for affordable housing.

3. Enhancement of historical issues. There are a number of sites in town that qualify for improvements towards their historical value.

Each year, at least 10% of CPA funds must be designated to each of the categories. The remaining 70% can be spent for any of the three.

Since the new plans for Robbins Farm include uncovering the old cellar hole and creating a historic segment to learn more about the Robbins family farm, we can submit a request for funding this portion of the proposed Robbins Farm improvements.

What will it cost each of us? The CPA is based on a tax surcharge of our local property tax. If the town chooses to spend at the 3% rate (there are also 1% and 2% plans), and your current taxes are $3,000, the additional cost per year would be $90.00. The state contributes a small amount of about $25,000 annually in addition to the $1.6 million the town estimates it could raise.

A warrant article proposing that a committee be established to review the act and make recommendation for the following year has been submitted for review to Town Meeting. We will keep you posted!