 Adams Keeps Tax Due Date Same, Waives PenaltiesLocal towns have been all over the map when it comes to adopting these options. Pittsfield and North Adams enacted both options while neighboring Cheshire extended the deadline but chose not to waive late fees and penalties.  Cheshire Extends Property Tax DeadlineLike several other municipalities, Cheshire will give its property owners until June 1 to pay real estate and personal property taxes. The board extended the date from May 1 in the wake of the COVID-19 crisis. The June 1 date also applies to the application process for exemptions or abatements.  Adams Gets Good News on Tax Collection RatesThe Selectmen had asked Treasurer/Tax Collector Kelly Rice for a general health check of the town's collection progress at a meeting earlier this month and were pleased to hear her say on Wednesday that the numbers are generally positive.  Lanesborough Police Chief Retiring, Taxes DroppingPolice Chief Timothy Sorrell will be retiring after serving five years in the position.  Pittsfield City Council Finally Sets Tax RateCouncilors swiftly approved the use of an additional $1 million in free cash to offset the tax rate and set a residential tax rate of $19.71 and a commercial rate of $40.36, per $1,000 valuation.  North Adams Sees Tax Rate Fall as Values RiseThe City Council on Tuesday approved to continue a split tax rate and to set the commercial shift at 1.71. That will reduce the residential tax rate to $18.62 per $1,000 valuation, down 49 cents over last year, and the commercial/industrial rate at $40.67, down 94 cents from last year.  Property Taxes Set to Rise in AdamsHomeowners will pay $21.88, an increase of 49 cents per $1,000 of valuation while commercial properties will rise by 59 cents to $25.99 per $1,000.  Adams Selectmen See Different Tax Rate ScenariosAssessor Donna MacDonald went over possible tax rate scenarios for fiscal 2020 at the Selectmen's workshop on Wednesday. The board will vote on the tax classifications next week.  Adams Seeks Input on Hazard Mitigation PlanInterim Town Administrator Donna Cesan told the Selectmen on Wednesday that earlier this week a public meeting was held go over the completed draft.  Clarksburg Tax Rate Up 3 Percent for Fiscal 2019The Select Board on Wednesday approved a single tax rate for fiscal 2019 of $15.99 per $1,000 valuation, up from $15.31 last year.  North Adams Council Opts to Reduce Tax Burden on BusinessAfter nearly 90 minutes of discussion, the council voted 8-1 to keep the property tax shift at 1.71. It took the council some time to struggle through amending the order submitted by the mayor's office.  Lanesborough Tax Rate Going Up By $1.23The tax rate is increasing by $1.23 per $1,000 of assessed property valued. The town is continuing with a single tax rate and that is resulting in an increase to the tax rate to $22.63 per $1,000 of assessed value. For the average single-family home, the increase will be $350.99 per year. The rate is set after town meeting approved a budget in the spring and the numbers shake out by the fall.  Tyer Proposes Property Tax Rate CutDo you remember where you were in 1993? That's the question Mayor Linda Tyer asked in her office Wednesday morning. Because 1993 was the last time the tax bill for the average single-family home in Pittsfield decreased. It was 2007 when the city's tax rate had declined from the previous year.  Adams Property Owners See Tax Rate Drop for Fiscal 2019The rate for residential will be $21.39 per $1,000 valuation; the commercial rate will be $25.40, a 14 cent drop from this year. The commercial and industrial shift will increase from 1.12 to 1.15.  North Adams Adopts Senior, Veteran Property Tax ProgramsThe council adopted the provisions of state laws for programs in which those age 60 or older can receive abates of up to $1,500 and veterans can receive abatements of up to $1,000 for their volunteer services. The roll-call votes were 8-1 on both orders.  Cheshire's Fiscal 2019 Tax Rate Down 6 PercentThe Selectmen held the annual tax classification hearing Tuesday with the Board of Assessors and were pleasantly surprised to hear that new growth in town has sent the tax rate south with an almost 6 percent decrease.  Williamstown Sets Tax Rate for Fiscal 2019The board met jointly on Monday with the Prudential Committee, which oversees the Fire District, to hold its annual tax classification hearing. As has been the town's practice, both bodies agreed to continue with a unified tax rate instead of shifting more of the burden onto commercial properties. |
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