Templeton annual town election, May 7, 2007.

Question 2. Shall the Town of Templeton accept sections 3 to 7, inclusive of Chapter 44B of the General Laws, as proposed by a petition signed by at least five percent of the registered voters of this town, a summary of which appears below? YES_____ NO____ 

 SUMMARY: Sections 3 to 7 of Chapter 44B of the General Laws of Massachusetts, also known as the Community Preservation Act (“Act”), establishes a dedicated funding source to acquire, create and preserve open space and land for recreational use; acquire, preserve, rehabilitate and restore historic resources; acquire, create, preserve and support community housing; and to rehabilitate and restore open space, land for recreational use and community housing that is acquired or created in accordance with the Act. In Templeton, the Act will be funded, beginning in Fiscal Year 2008, by an additional surcharge of 3% on the annual tax levy on real property and by matching funds provided by the state. The following exemptions from such surcharge, permitted under Section 3(e) of said Act, will apply: (1) property owned and occupied as a domicile by a person who would qualify for low income housing or low or moderate income senior housing in the Town; (2) $100,000 of the value of each taxable parcel of residential real property. A taxpayer receiving a regular property tax abatement or exemption will also receive a pro rata reduction in surcharge. A Community Preservation Committee must be created pursuant to by-law and will make recommendations on the use of the funds. Town Meeting must approve any such recommendations before funds can be expended. At least 10% of the funds for each fiscal year must be spent or reserved for later spending for each of the Act’s three purposes: (1) open space (but excluding land for recreational use); (2) historic resources; and (3) community housing. All expenditures pursuant to the Act will be subject to an annual audit.

QUESTION #2 Community Preservation Act 

Precinct A, B, Total

Yes 314 247 561 

 No 258 218 476 

 Blanks 30 32 62 

 TOTAL 602 497 1,099