Election 2009: Alcombright Discusses Taxes

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NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Mayoral candidate Dick Alcombright discusses property tax increases:
 
I have heard that if I am elected I will raise taxes. I ask you to remember that I am a homeowner and taxpayer in this city and have been for over 30 years. I don't like property tax increases any more than you do. The fact remains that property taxes in this city have increased each and every year since 2005 and maybe beyond that.

These records are available on the Department of Revenue Web site. Additionally, taxes in North Adams according to one Department of Revenue source indicate that taxes (on average) have increased over the past five years a total of 23 percent as compared to the state average of 19 percent. Additionally, Adams, Williamstown and Pittsfield were all at or below the state average.

Why would the fact that I might have to increase taxes to maintain city services be any different from the fact that Mayor Barrett has done it every year? Mayor Barrett has increased property taxes even in years when state aid has been increased. Please feel free to contact my campaign headquarters for the facts and figures on this. It's all a matter of public record and available on the Department of Revenue Web site. When state aid is drastically reduced, as it has been this year and will likely be next year, there are very few options for local governments.

My preference would be to grow the local economy by attracting businesses and development to increase the tax base. This is the only way to slow the reliance on property tax and our ever increasing dependency on state aid. 


Until we are able to achieve those goals, property taxes are likely to increase, as they have every year, unless local services are cut. Unfortunately, for the last several years of the current administration property taxes have not only increased, but local services have decreased. I do not consider that to be an acceptable solution. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions on my position. I will be happy to discuss it with you in detail.

Together We Will Succeed

Contact Alcombright at info@AlcombrightForMayor.com, 413-663-5057 or AlcombrightForMayor.com.

Submitted by the Campaign to Elect Dick Alcombright for Mayor
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Friday Front Porch Feature: A Charming House Like New

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff

The home prior to renovations.

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. Are you looking for a newly renovated home with great space? Then this might be the perfect fit for you!

Our Friday Front Porch is a weekly feature spotlighting attractive homes for sale in Berkshire County. This week, we are showcasing 100 Autumn Drive.

This three-bedroom, two-bathroom split level was built in 1965 and is 1,396 square feet on 0.32 acres.

The house was completely renovated recently. It includes a one-car garage, and comes with appliances including a dishwasher and stove/oven, and other major appliances.

The house is listed for $359,500.

We spoke with owners Michael Zeppieri and Chris Andrews, who did the renovations. Zeppieri is an agent with Alton and Westall Real Estate Agency.

What was your first impression when you walked into the home?

Zeppieri: I purchased this home to do a full renovation flip and saw tremendous potential in this mid-century split level home that had not been updated since it was built in the 1960s, in a great North Adams neighborhood.

 

Andrews: The house was a much different house when we first purchased it in 2022 (photo attached is from about 2010.)  The interior was painted all in dark colors and we brightened it up with neutral colors. The transformation makes you feel like you are in a totally different house.  

 

 

What were the recent renovations, any standout design features?

 

Zeppieri: The house has had a complete reconfiguration including new kitchen with high-end appliances, ceramic tiled baths, hardwood floors, new windows and roof ... just to name a few.  All a buyer has to do is move in and enjoy.

 

Andrews: Yes, we renovated the entire house.  New windows, new roof, all new custom black gutter system, new blacktop driveway, hardwood floors were installed through out the house. New kitchen and bathrooms as well as painting the exterior and interior of the house.  New paver patio in the back yard.

 

What kind of buyer would this home be ideal for?

 

Zeppieri: The buyer for this home could be a first-time homebuyer or a retiree ... the location is close to attractions in North Adams ... and the property is located in Autumn Heights, which is a very small residential development with several long-term owners.

 

Andrews: This home is truly ideal for a variety of buyers. Whether a first-time homebuyer, a small family or even someone looking to downsize from a larger home.

 

 

What do you think makes this property stand out in the current market?

 

Zeppieri: The location, price and move-in condition of this home make it a true market leader in the North Adams Market.

 

Andrews: This house is completely renovated and in a desirable location of North Adams. The natural light in the home really makes the interior pop. And with all the upgrades the home stays quite cool in the summer months.

Do you know any unique stories about the home or its history?

Zeppieri: This home was built for the Gould family in 1969 and they lived there till 2010. It was always a family home during that time in which the Goulds had two children ... and Virgina Gould managed Mohawk Forest Apartments and was a very active resident of North Adams.

 

Andrews: Built in about 1965.

 

What do the current owners love about this home?

 

Zeppieri: As the current owner it was a fun project to transform this home and get it ready for its next adventure with a new family to enjoy for many years.

 

Andrews: No one has lived in the house since we purchased the home. The new owners would be the first to live in the house since the renovations have been completed.

 

 

What would you say to a buyer trying to imagine their life in this space?

 

Andrews: I would suggest seeing the house either on a sunny day or at twilight to really get a vision of how special the home feels.  

 

You can find out more about this house on its listing here.

*Front Porch Feature brings you an exclusive to some of the houses listed on our real estate page every week. Here we take a bit of a deeper dive into a certain house for sale and ask questions so you don't have to.

 

 

 

 

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