Save Warren Woods Campaign Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) FAQ 1 Your taxes will NOT be increased. The Town of Ashland would purchase Warren Woods using Community Preservation Act (CPA) funds along with state grants and private donations. CPA funds can ONLY be used for open space, recreation, historic and affordable housing projects. CPA funds absolutely cannot be used to fund town operations or capital projects such as police or fire stations, schools or snow removal. Therefore, using CPA funds to purchase Warren Woods does not take money away from any town budget items. Read Jim Duane’s Feb. 11 OpEd. FAQ 2 An initial investment now will SAVE Ashland taxpayers money every year in the future. Cost of Community Services studies conducted in more than 100 communities across the country by the American Farmland Trust have repeatedly proven that towns lose money when open space is converted to residential development. Residences cost more in municipal services (e.g., schools, water, fire, police, roadways) than they generate in revenue. Open space costs far less to maintain. Wise planning by investing in the purchase of the Warren Woods today will save Ashland taxpayers money every year in the future. FAQ 3 There are sufficient Community Preservation Act funds to purchase Warren Woods and sponsor other community recreation goals. At their November 9 joint meeting, the Community Preservation Act and Finance Committees agreed that there are sufficient resources to purchase Warren Woods and sponsor future community recreation endeavors. The town has the option of purchasing the property without additional taxes and without draining the CPA fund of sufficient resources to sponsor future endeavors. FAQ 4 Ashland is not doing this alone. The Save Warren Woods Committee is working with an expanding group of partners, including Mass Audubon, the Holliston Open Space Committee, and Sudbury Valley Trustees. Each of these organizations has an interest in protecting this land. Audubon and Sudbury Valley have committed to help Ashland secure state and private grants and donations. |