October 26, 2006
Bridgewater
Raynham
Easton
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Massachusetts
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Joseph Gillis Jr.
You can do something!
First off, thanks to Marilee Hunt and several members of various state agencies for their assistance in understanding the issues related to use of CPA funds.
My earlier writing on October 23rd was based on the Patriot Ledger story concerning Hanover's upcoming vote at Town Meeting to fund a purchase through CPA funds. That story and other items I read referred to a 2000 purchase of the land and that now there would no longer be a need for Prop 2 ½ funding. All indications were that the sale had been completed, and that the CPA funds were now going to replace the Prop 2 ½ funds.
It is now clear that the purchase was voted in 2000, but has not yet been completed due to various legal issues, and that no funds have yet changed hands. Because no funds have changed hands and the land has not yet been received by Hanover, it is not a complete sale and CPA funds can be used to fund the purchase.
In Bridgewater's case, the land and funds have already been exchanged. Town payments for the bond have now been made for several years. Therefore, an attempt to pay the annual bond charges would be considered supplantation; and be contrary to the rulles for CPA funds.
So, while this was an intriguing thought, it cannot go forward for Bridgewater.
