The Community Preservation Act was created in 2000.  This local option statute authorizes a municipality which votes to accept it to impose a real estate tax surcharge to raise money for three purposes related to community preservation, open space, historic preservation and affordable houisng.  In addition, the statute provides for state government's payment of matching funds to participating municipalities. 

The Town of Medway was one of the first communities in Massachusetts to accept the Community Preservation Act, voters did so at a Special Town Meeting in April, 2001.  In doing so, the Town adopted a local bylaw creating  Medway Community Preservation Committee, with the committee consisting of 7 members representing five town boards;  Planning, Conservation, Parks, Historical and Affordable Housing as well as two citizens at large.

The passing of this Act along with the small individual assessment has allowed the Town to make some significant property acquisitions and ensures that the Town will be able to continue to do.