Adams Residential Tax Rate Up 7 Percent
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Chairman Arthur "Skip" Harrington became the tie-breaker when board members broke over whether to keep the shift differential between residential or commercial the same as this year or to put a heavier burden on the commercial side.
The vote kept the split at 115 percent, the same as last year. The residential rate will rise to $17.17, up $1.17 from this year; the commercial and personal rate will be $20.37, up from $18.97 this year.
The average home, assessed at $140,000, will see a tax bill of $2,404, or about $160 more than last year.
Approximately $500,000 is raised for every $1 on the tax rate.
Selectwoman Paula Melville urged the board vote a shift of 120 percent, which would have put the residential rate under $17 (at $16.99) but raise the commercial rate a dollar.
"I'm always one who believes the businesses need to pay a little more ... but I don't think we need to put the burden on busineses at this point in time," said Selectman Scott Nichols, pointing to the economic downturn. "It's only pennies on the dollar."
He suggested waiting until after the townwide revaluation scheduled this fiscal year.
Those pennies would total about $26 for the average homeowner (or about $54 at 125 percent) and that could make a big difference to struggling taxpayers, said Selectman Jason Hnatonko, who pointed to his own parents as examples. He said the state's reductions in municipal aid has become a major factor in town budgets.
"We have to start holding our state representatives' feet to the fire," he said, to applause by Melville. "They need to draw a line in the sand and say our communities can't afford to lose anymore."
State Rep. Gailanne Cariddi, who had stayed after attending an open forum earlier, said she would do her best to fight for her communities but couldn't make any promises.
Local businessman George Haddad, a former selectman, and Selectman Michael Ouellette advocated to keep the two rates as tight as possible with the goal of eventually equalizing them. Haddad said keeping the commercial rate lower could aid in attracting businesses put off by higher rates in other communities.
Nichols and Ouellette voted to keep the shift at 115 percent and the rates as first discussed; Melville and Hnatonko voted against, forcing Harrington to side with Oullette and Nichols to break the tie.
The selectmen referred several times to the open forum held prior to their meeting, during which dozens of residents, most from Columbia Street, pleaded for help because of continuing flood damage.
Many of the basements in homes near Renfrew Field filled up with water when Pine Brook overflowed, which a number of residents say was caused as much by improper maintenance by the town as from Tropical Storm Irene. Now, with more rain over the last few days, repaired water heaters and electrical boxes could be submerged again as water is leaking through the stonewall foundations.
One woman said the flooding damaged the heater in her basement and her children were forced to take cold showers.
.jpg) Rep. Gailanne Cariddi said she would work hard to get the own more aid. She met earlier with residents whose homes had been damaged by Tropical Storm Irene. |
Another resident was concerned that he couldn't reapply to his insurance company if the flooding happened again.
Town Administrator Jonathan Butler said Pine Brook, a drainage system, would have to be fixed by a construction firm and could take a few weeks to get one in. He urged residents to come into Town Hall because officials could guide them to foundations and other groups dispersing funds for damage caused by Irene.
A FEMA-State Disaster Recovery Center has been established at 430 Main St., Williamstown, (the old Grand Union) as well.
In other business, the board:
:: Authorized the school district to use 20 lots in the Visitors Center for student parking.
:: Approved the placement of signs for the annual Fall Run on Sunday, Sept. 25. Last year's ride had 1,500 motorcycles and 2,600 riders who raised more than $25,500. This is the run's 30th year; more information here.
:: Proscribed six months probation for the 7-11 convenience store on Columbia Street for an incident in which a clerk sold alcohol to a minor. Franchise owner Jim Rose said it was the first incident that had occurred in his five years owning the store and that the clerk has retaken the chain's program on alcohol, tobacco and lottery sales. Should another incident occur within the six months, its alcohol license will automatically be suspended for one day.
Adams Tax Classification Hearing
Tags: Irene, taxes,
