Ken Venton, a long-time Conservation Commission member, introduced the meeting and highlighted several future events, including a presentation by the Halifax Fire Department in November and the election of officers in December. He then handed over the floor to Candy Niffin, chair of the Halifax Hope Committee, who led a discussion on the CPA, emphasizing the need to inform the community about the act, which has not been previously voted on in Halifax. Niffin noted, “We were realizing how little anyone knew about the Community Preservation Act,” pointing out the general lack of awareness surrounding the topic.

He cited his experience in trying to construct a new playground, emphasizing that the CPA is vital for maintaining and investing in Halifax. “If we pass that, that would be one another case of where those funds could go,” he remarked.

The meeting also included a discussion on the newly released property tax assessments and the specific financial implications of the CPA for residents. The average assessed value of a single-family home in Halifax is now reported at $51,988, with a tax rate of $14.20 per thousand, representing a slight decrease from the previous year. For residents, the implementation of the CPA would translate to an estimated property tax bill of $738.63 after a 1.5% surcharge, which equates to approximately $88 per average home annually.

Information on exemptions related to the CPA was provided, detailing qualifications for full abatements based on household income and age. For instance, a household of two, where the oldest resident is over 60, can earn up to $87,900 to be exempt from the charge, while single residents under 60 can earn up to $61,500 for the same exemption. The goal was to ensure that residents could easily determine their eligibility.

The financial benefits of the CPA were further illustrated through a map showing participating communities south of Boston, with Halifax highlighted in yellow against other towns in green. Towns like Carver and Kingston have received substantial state funding since their enrollment in the CPA, with Carver securing over $4 million and Kingston over $3 million. This comparison underscored the potential advantages for Halifax, should the CPA be adopted.

The commission also discussed various proposals for land acquisition and preservation, including the town’s efforts to acquire the Lion’s Head property and the Peone Farm. The Peone Farm initiative aims to preserve 93 acres of land while maintaining an agricultural restriction on an additional 96 acres, countering a developer’s proposal to construct a 55+ community with 378 homes. The town plans to use CPA funds to allocate land for trails and community gardens, addressing food insecurity and preserving open spaces.

Potential uses for open spaces were also explored, including the development of trails behind Halifax Elementary School and creating recreational areas at locations like the Randall Helard Conservation Area and Camp Oaan. One member noted that had CPA funds been available during the seven-year fundraising effort for a playground, the project could have been completed much sooner, providing immediate benefits to the community.

The discussion then shifted to historical preservation, with references to past projects like the relocation of the blacksmith shop and the Brockton store. These efforts highlighted the need for volunteer labor and materials, often sourced through local connections, to restore historical structures. The potential for CPA funding to support future historical preservation efforts, such as digitizing documents and restoring historic cemeteries, was also discussed. This would ensure that local history remains accessible despite the physical deterioration of original documents.