Workshop for Communities Looking to Adopt CPA

Workshop for Communities Looking to Adopt CPA

Introductions Your name Your city or town What stage are you in? One thing you d like addressed in the workshop

Principles for running a winning campaign

1. Present the right question and chose the right path for your Community

Which allowable exemptions to the CPA surcharge help the campaign? First $100,000 of residential property value Low-moderate income exempts any household that earns less than 80% of area median and any senior (60+) who earns up to 100% of the median. Class three commercial or class four industrial properties in cities or towns with classified tax rates

Brookfield CPA Cost and Revenue Scenario Scenario (Does Not Include State Match) Surcharge Average Cost Amount Raised With First $100,000 Exemption 1% $ 19 $ 25,213 2% $ 38 $ 50,425 3% $ 58 $ 75,638 Without First $100,000 Exemption 1% $ 32 $ 38,589 2% $ 64 $ 77,177 3% $ 96 $ 115,766

Maximum Incomes for Exemption for Brookfield One person in household Two people in household Four people in household Seniors (residents 60 and over) $50,960 $58,240 $72,800 Low-income residents $40,768 $46,592 $58,240

Match Distributions Commissioner of Revenue Disburses Match (October 15th) First Round Second Round Third Round Match Distribution 80% Equity Distribution 20% Surplus Distribution

Match Distribution 80% First Round: Match Distribution Distributes 80% of the money in the state matching fund to all communities that pass the Act All communities will receive the same percentage of the amount raised at the local level (dollar amounts will vary depending on the amount raised by each community) Example: Assume a 50% match. One community raises $1 million at the local level and another $200,000. The first community would receive a match of $500,000 and the second a match of $100,000.

Equity Distribution 20% Second Round: The Equity Distribution Distributes 20% of the money in the state matching fund Communities must have adopted the maximum 3% property tax surcharge to be eligible Distributed according to Community Preservation Rank

Two Paths to Local Adoption Town Meeting/Special Town Meeting Vote or City Council Vote, followed by Ballot Election of CPA Petition signed by 5% of the registered voters of the city or town, followed by Ballot Election Must allow 35 days between Town Meeting Vote and City or Town Election, and 60 days between Town Meeting Vote and State Election Phillipston or +/- of each Petition with signatures must be submitted at least 43 days before City or Town Election and 68 days before State Election Northfield

Choosing the path towards CPA adoption Election timing- is it best for a state/federal election in the fall? Or a municipal election in the spring? What are the other issues that will be voted on at the ballot, or discussed at town meeting/city council?

Summary 1) Educate yourself about the CPA www.communitypreservation.org Department of Revenue Guidelines Ask CPC to help you with scenarios 2) Educate potential supporters and opinion leaders about the CPA and options for bringing it to the community. Poll key people to get their input 3) Work closely with Town Counsel, Community Preservation Coalition to make sure the question is worded and submitted correctly (petition language, warrant article, ballot question)

2. It s all about identifying your supporters and getting out the vote How many people will turn out at Town Meeting or the Ballot Box? For a city, how many votes do you need from the city council? Take that turnout # and multiply by 60% That number is how many YES pledges you need from voters

Getting out the Vote Three steps 1) Identify your supporters 2) Remind them of their support 3) Final Get out the vote push

Indentifying your Supporters Obtain voter lists of the people who show up at similar meetings or elections. Pick up at least 2 lists from the Clerk s office These voters are the gold standard. Get enough pledges from these regular voters before the election or meeting If along the way you identify other folks but they aren t typical voters, count them as ½ a vote How do you get a pledge? Ask people individually after meetings, phone calls, during the petition drive, etc. Have a script

Hubbardston Example Reach 15 people per hour, and you need to reach 1200 people total. That equals 80 hours of phone calling minimum. If you have 10 volunteers who will do phone calling, that is 8 hours total per person If you have 15 volunteers who will do phone calling, that is 6 hours total per person If you have 20 volunteers who will do phone calling, that is 4 hours total per person Important: set people up for success, with a script, a frequently asked questions sheet, and make sure they record who is a supporter and who is against the CPA, because you only want to do outreach with the Postcard mailing and with the reminder phone calls to the supporters!

Turning your supporters out to Vote Personal reminder is best Phone call Reminder mailing as well

3. Key influences on the decision makers Besides individual pledges of support, what else will help influence voters to Vote Yes? What are the best ways to influence them in your community? Power Map

Influences on a likely voter in: Community Groups: Elected Officials: Influential People: Media: Experts/Information: Local Businesses: Opposition: Other: What action do you want to take for each category?

4. Determine Tactics based on those influences Example media and visibility Hubbardston- roadside signs Northfield- opinion editorials Templeton- Cable TV broadcast Phillipston- town wide newsletter

Tactics Example key individuals/ groups Hubbardston- Senior Center Northfield- snowmobile club Templeton- finance committee Phillipston- chief of police

5. Build your group throughout your campaign effort Building a broad coalition. Who are some likely allies? Who brings credibility and influence? Ask people to take on specific tasks based on the tactics of your campaign A core group of 6-12 is all you need

6. Crafting the right Message, and choosing materials Are there specific projects that could use CPA funding? Would those projects garner public support? Of all the great things about the CPA, what are the selling points for your specific community? What materials do you need? Who are the right messengers for your community? Is fundraising necessary? Ballot Question Committee and reporting requirements Ex: Easthampton letter

Developing Your Message: Problem Solution Action Boil that down to a: One sentence pitch A slogan

Nicer Neighborhoods for Quincy

7. Handling the Opposition Meet with them? Ignore them? How active will they be? Be paranoid

8. Create a Buzz that peaks for the vote Create the sense that the majority of the town is with you.

9. Evaluate

CPA Local Adoption Summary Start early Consult/work with municipal leadership Form broad coalition Educate public Identify specific CPA needs Identify and mobilize sympathetic voters

For Further Information www.communitypreservation.org

Questions?