NORTHAMPTON — The surcharge for most documents produced by the Registry of Deeds will increase in order to provide extra funding for the Community Preservation Act (CPA), effective Tuesday.
Surcharges associated with most documents will increase by $30, though municipal lien certificates will see a smaller increase at $15 and declarations of homestead will stay the same.
“It’s the first time in 17 years, and the base fees are the same,” Beth Callahan, assistant register of deeds for Hampshire County, said of the increase. “It’s just that the money being generated is going toward the CPA.” Fees have not increased since 2003.
The CPA is a state law that allows communities to establish funds for recreation, affordable housing, historic preservation and open space projects. A portion of surcharges at the Registry of Deeds contributes to this funding.
The increase is needed to keep up with funding requests from some of the most populous areas of the state, according to the Registry of Deeds, including Boston, Springfield and Lowell.
More than half of Massachusetts communities have passed CPA initiatives allowing residents to pay surcharges to their cities or towns, according to the registry. Municipalities are then responsible for creating a local commission to review and approve qualifying applications, and the state provides matching funds.
A complete updated fees listing is available on the Massachusetts Secretary of State website.
Jacquelyn Voghel can be reached at jvoghel@gazettenet.com.