Sections 3 to 7 of Chapter 44B of the General Laws of Massachusetts, also known as the Community Preservation Act (Act), establish a dedicated funding source to enable cities and towns to (1) acquire open space, which includes land for park and recreational uses and the protection of public drinking water well fields, aquifers and recharge areas, wetlands, farm land, forests, marshes, beaches, scenic areas, wildlife preserves and other conservation areas, (2) acquire and restore historic buildings and sites, and (3) create affordable housing. In the Town of Mendon, the funding source for these community preservation purposes will be a surcharge of three percent (3%) on the annual property tax assessed on real property and annual distributions made by the state from a trust fund created by the Act. If approved, the following will be exempt from the surcharge: $100,000 of the value of each taxable parcel of residential real property. A taxpayer receiving a regular property tax abatement or exemption will also receive a pro rata reduction in surcharge. A Community Preservation Committee will be established by by-law to study community preservation resources, possibilities and needs and to make annual recommendations to the town meeting on spending the funds. At least 10% of the funds for each fiscal year will be spent or reserved for later spending on each of the Act's three community preservation purposes: (1) open space (excluding land for recreational use), (2) historic resources and (3) affordable housing.