Both the Community Preservation Committee and Finance Committee have endorsed an article in this year’s town meeting warrant that would raise a surcharge on the taxes of Harvard residents from 1.1 to 3 percent.
The surcharge is a benefit available to towns that have adopted the terms of the Massachusetts Community Preservation Act (CPA), which Harvard voted to do in 2001. Harvard is one of roughly 150 municipalities in the state that have adopted the act. Having done so, Harvard can raise money for projects that “preserve community character” —including land conservation, housing, and renovation of historic buildings, such as Town Hall—by adding a surcharge of 1.1 to 3 percent to the property tax bill of every resident.
The state then provides matching funds, which were as high as $100,000 per town during the first year of the act, but have since declined.
The Community Preservation Committee, with four elected members and five appointed members from other committees, is responsible for recommening appropriations of the money that comes from the town tax surcharge and matching state grants. Two weeks ago, the committee agreed to use a total of $1 million of its current surcharge revenues over 10 years to help pay for Town Hall.
The vote last week to increase the surcharge was 3-2-1. Rhonda Sprague, the Historical Commission Representative and a candidate for Board of Selectmen, and John Lee, the Parks and Recreation representative, opposed the surcharge increase; elected member Debbie Ricci abstained.
Planning Board Representative Michelle Catalina and elected members Deborah Thompson and Steve Rowse voted in favor.
The vote of the Finance Committee—absent member George McKenna—was unanimous.
Voters will have two chances to accept or reject the increased surcharge: first at Town Meeting and then at the ballot box.
In addition to Town Hall, other historic buildings in town, including Hildreth House and the old library, are likely to need renovation over the next five years. Up to 80 percent of the extra surcharge money could be used to pay for them. By state law, however, that money cannot be used for Town Hall.
“This is about the future,” said Finance Committee member Bob Thurston.
