Northborough recreation director highlights 20 years of Community Preservation Act projects

John Campbell, Northborough recreation director and a representative of the town’s Community Preservation Committee, said the town has used the Community Preservation Act to fund open space, recreation and historic-preservation projects since voters adopted the measure in 2004. “In 2004, over 7,000 residents went to the polls for the November election, and a nearly 2/3 majority voted yes to adopt the Community Preservation Act in Northborough,” he said.

Campbell said the committee was created by bylaw in 2005 and that CPA projects are funded locally through a 1.5% property tax surcharge, supplemented by a state match. “In the 20 years since, Northborough has received over 3.6 million in state matching funds,” he said, citing the cumulative benefit to the town.

He listed local examples of CPA-funded work: the new Town Common, the Green Street open space vista, an expanded trails network, restoration at Assabet Park, playground enhancements at Zeh School and Peaslee, ball-field lighting at Melican, restoration of historic graveyards, the bell-tower work at First Parish Church, improvements to the Historical Society building and upgrades at the library. Campbell also said CPA supported creation of affordable housing apartments on Center Drive, Main Street and Boundary Street, and that a project is expected soon at Village Drive.

Highlighting recreation projects, Campbell pointed to the six pickleball courts at Ellsworth McAfee as “one of our most popular projects.” He said the Community Preservation Committee covered roughly 80% of that project’s cost: “the CPC paid for 80% of this project.” Campbell added that, across his 25 years as recreation director, the CPC has repeatedly funded town recreation work.

Campbell closed by thanking supporters and inviting neighbors to learn more or get involved. For information he directed listeners to contact him or town planner Lori Connors at the Town Hall Planning Office.

Campbell’s remarks were a summary of past CPA-funded projects and an appeal for continued community engagement; no formal vote or new spending decision was recorded during this presentation.