The Community Preservation Act (CPA) was approved by Town Meeting on Nov. 5, 2002. Funding for the CPA comes from an 1% surcharge on residents’ annual property tax bill.
The Wellesley Community Preservation Committee (CPC) was formed in December, 2002 to make recommendations to Town Meeting on how to utilize the funds raised through the surcharge, and match from the State’s Community Preservation Trust Fund. More here on the State’s role in the CPA, and how other communities spend CPA funds.
The CPC holds public meetings monthly. Members are appointed by the town moderator as well as several elected bodies in town (Natural Resources Commission, Historical Commission, Recreation Commission, Planning Board, and Housing Authority).
Projects under discussion, Nov. 2025
The NRC has put in an application for CPA funding to dredge Duck Pond (the small body of water at Town Hall) and of Reeds Pond (along Woodside Ave., near Morses Pond). The NRC will present its case at the CPA Nov. 7 meeting.
How CPA funds can be used
- Acquisition and preservation of open space and land
- Acquisition and creation of affordable housing
- Acquisition and preservation of historic buildings and landscapes
Funds in recent years have gone toward the Wellesley History Center (2024), a feasibility study for pickleball courts (2023), and an historic atlas restoration (2022). The money often winds up in the hands of consulting firms.
