North Andover residents can pitch project ideas and help shape how Community Preservation Act (CPA) funds are spent at a public meeting Thursday, Nov. 12, at 7 p.m. in the Select Board Meeting Room at Town Hall.

The North Andover Community Preservation Committee is hosting the session to hear what residents think the town needs, according to a committee announcement. The meeting begins a months-long funding cycle that ends with a vote at the May 11, 2027, Annual Town Meeting.

The committee funds projects in four categories: open space, historic preservation, affordable housing and recreational land. Money comes from a 3% surcharge on property taxes and a state matching grant. As of a January 2026 North Andover News report, taxpayers had funded more than $40 million in CPA projects over more than 20 years, including more than $12 million in state matching funds.

Protecting the watershed around Lake Cochickewick, the town's sole drinking water source, is a major CPA priority, according to the town's CPA page. North Andover was one of the first communities in Massachusetts to adopt the act, approving it at a January 2001 Town Meeting with more than 70% support and confirming it on a March 2001 ballot.

State law requires at least 10% of each year's CPA revenue go to open space, 10% to historic preservation and 10% to affordable housing. The remaining 70% can be directed to any of the four eligible categories, with Town Meeting casting the final vote, according to the town's funding guidelines.

CPA funds cannot be used for maintenance.

The property surcharge includes two exemptions: $100,000 off the assessed value of each residential property, and a waiver for residents who qualify as low-income or low- or moderate-income senior households. Residents can contact the Board of Assessors at 978-688-9566 to ask about qualifying.

Thursday's meeting is the first step in the application cycle. The committee's published schedule lists a Dec. 10 session for pre-applicants to discuss projects, a formal application deadline of Jan. 29, 2027, an initial review meeting on Feb. 11, 2027, and a project recommendation vote on March 11, 2027. Projects should be completable within five years, covering fiscal years 2028 through 2032.

Anyone can submit a project idea. The committee encourages residents to bring proposals at any point during the year. Questions can be directed to [email protected].