Halifax Considers Community Preservation Act, Forms Government Study Committee

Board of Selectmen weighs benefits and concerns of CPA adoption, appoints five-member committee to evaluate town operations

HALIFAX, MA - September 24 - Halifax is considering adopting the Community Preservation Act (CPA), a measure that would allow the town to collect funds for open space, affordable housing, and historic preservation projects. The Board of Selectmen discussed the proposal during their recent meeting, weighing potential benefits and addressing concerns raised by residents.

Candy Kniffen, representing a ballot support committee for the CPA, presented information to the board. She emphasized that Halifax has left potential state matching funds "on the table" for 24 years while surrounding communities have benefited from the program.

"We feel Halifax has left this money on the table. While all the other towns around us, the entire Cape, many -- right now, it's 196 towns in the state that have adopted this," Kniffen said.

The CPA requires that 10% of funds raised go to recreation and open space, 10% to affordable housing, and 10% to historical preservation. The remaining 70% can be allocated to any of these areas or saved for future projects.

Selectman Jonathan Selig expressed strong support for the measure, stating, "One of the best tools this town can have is the CPA. That is exactly what this program is designed to do, is to look at our little communities that we have and set something up to keep them as they are."

However, Selectman Thomas Pratt raised concerns about the housing component of the CPA, suggesting that capping the housing allocation might make the proposal more palatable to some residents.

"I think that's one of your big battles is you're facing what people are feeling now. If money was not an object, the CPA is a no-brainer, because what you can do with it is precious and you can't get back those historical things once they're gone," Pratt said.

Kniffen countered that the housing funds could be used for various purposes, including rental assistance programs and refurbishing existing buildings for affordable housing units.

The board did not take an immediate vote on supporting the CPA, opting to postpone the decision until their next meeting to allow for further consideration.

In a separate action, the Board of Selectmen appointed a five-member Government Study Committee to evaluate current town operations and consider potential changes to Halifax's governance structure.

The committee members are Joshua Curtis, Mary Gravinese, Sandy Dolan, Kerry Sellers, and Jim Walters. They will examine various aspects of town government, including elected positions and the town meeting format.

Selectman John Bruno explained the committee's purpose: "This is a committee that the board is establishing as an advisory committee to the board, really, and the goal is to evaluate the current operations of the government, our government, the town government."

Bruno noted that the town's governance structure has remained largely unchanged since its incorporation in 1734, stating, "We've been an open town meeting since 1734, and that hasn't changed, and maybe it shouldn't change, but you're welcome to look at that and make suggestions and things like that."

The newly appointed committee members bring diverse backgrounds and experiences to the task. Selectman Thomas Pratt will serve as chairman of the Government Study Committee, which will meet to determine its schedule and approach to the evaluation process.

The board stressed the importance of approaching the study with an open mind and without preconceived notions about potential changes to the town's governance structure.