beaux-tie
beaux-tie t1_jbrkd0q wrote
Reply to comment by swoldier_force in Advocates call for continuation of free WRTA bus fares by HRJafael
Big problem is scheduling. Unfortunately RTAs across MA have been underfunded by the state for years
beaux-tie t1_ivqb5lg wrote
Reply to comment by AceOfTheSwords in Good job Worcester! We passed the CPA! by legalpretzel
There are probably some people out there with ideas, but there are a couple of issues—one is that the money won’t be collected for a while. We’re going to have to wait until at least late 2024 before we start to see projects discussed. The surcharge won’t be collected until July 2023 and the state trust fund match won’t happen until Nov 2024 (after the first year of surcharges are collected).
The second issue is that projects need to go before the 5-9 member local CPA commission, and then they recommend projects to the City Council which will approve or disapprove them.
As an example, Shrewsbury adopted the CPA in 2020 and only just in August began accepting applications for CPA projects
beaux-tie t1_itipbpl wrote
Reply to comment by [deleted] in Why are houses in Holden and the Wachusett area so cheap? by [deleted]
I don’t dispute this. I do dispute saying that taxes are higher in Worcester than the communities being discussed by OP, which they simply aren’t, at least in terms of residential properties
beaux-tie t1_itin65k wrote
Reply to comment by Feralhousewife930 in Why are houses in Holden and the Wachusett area so cheap? by [deleted]
Simply not true in terms of residential tax for the towns being discussed — just a quick glance, but Rutland (15.79/1000), Paxton (18.98/1000), Holden (16.56/1000), Princeton (15.68/1000), and even sterling (15.25/1000) have higher residential tax rates than Worcester (15.21/1000).
Commercial taxes are another matter entirely, and there Worcester definitely has these towns beat. If Worcester didn’t have a dual tax rate, I imagine the residential tax would be higher than this to make up the difference.
beaux-tie t1_isyz3xx wrote
Reply to Question 5…explain it like I’m 5 by Krny73
The research bureau made a report and calculator about question 5 and the cpa (https://www.wrrb.org/reports/2022/08/preserving-worcesters-past-present-and-future-statewide-lessons-for-worcester-voters-on-the-cpa/)
Yes for a Better Worcester also made a calculator to figure out what your surcharge would be (https://www.cpaworcester.org/calculator)
And as others have pointed out, communitypreservation.org is a good resource for what other cities have used the money for
beaux-tie t1_jdkrak8 wrote
Reply to comment by PM_me_spare_change in Why Worcester drivers are so awful: Your theories and musings by Itchy_Rock_726
I see this allll the time at Kelley Square. Newton is also pretty chaotic in this way but it doesn't seem that normal rotary rules apply there lol