Commission Divided Over Costs and State Match as Motion Fails
Reading’s Conservation Commission cast its first official vote on the Community Preservation Act (CPA) during Wednesday night’s meeting—and the measure failed in a narrow 3–2 decision.
The vote was intended to signal whether the commission supported advancing CPA recommendations to the Select Board and ultimately Town Meeting. CPA adoption would allow Reading to fund projects in open space, historic preservation, affordable housing, and recreation through a local surcharge matched by state funds.
Despite weeks of discussion, commissioners remained divided. Supporters argued CPA would provide critical resources for conservation land and historic assets, while opponents raised concerns about tax impacts and long-term state matching rates. CPA adds a local property tax surcharge—typically 0.5%, 1%, or 1.5%—which towns can choose, and the state provides a partial matching contribution.
“Almost every community has applied,” Martha Moore noted during deliberations, emphasizing that Reading could join more than 200 Massachusetts municipalities already participating.
Yet skepticism persisted. Commissioners questioned whether the state match—once dollar-for-dollar—would remain meaningful and whether residents would accept even a modest surcharge.
The motion to support CPA was defeated 3-2, with Tim Michel, Rick Keogh, and Walter Talbot voting against, and Martha Moore and Brian Bowe voting in favor. Joseph Fleury an Associate could not vote. This was the first significant CPA vote by a Committee in 2025. As a result, the Conservation Commission will not officially back the CPA proposal as it heads to the Select Board for review and a possible 2026 ballot question.
Glad to read the CPA support vote was defeated. Enough with tax increases. Glad to know some in town are able to say NO. If a taxpayer wants to fund this initiative, then by all means write a check and donate money for it.