CHESHIRE, Mass. — The property tax bill for the average home will increase by $134 this fiscal year.
The Selectmen on Thursday set the fiscal 2018 tax rate at $13.06, which is 5.4 percent higher than last year. The single tax rate covers both residential and commercial property.
The Assessors joined the Selectmen at Thursday's tax classification hearing. Officials voted to set the single tax rate at $13.06 per $1,000 valuation, which is 67 cents higher than this year's $12.39.
The average property value for a single-family home in Cheshire is $200,000 making the average tax bill at the new rate $2,612.
Town Administrator Mark Webber previewed the hearing Tuesday and said because of increasing expenses and stagnant property values, residents will see a higher increase.
"Property values increased half of 1 percent and I think you did it the right way and it went up but the values haven't moved much in five years," Webber said. "It's the value versus the spending."
Webber said it would take another $200,000 from free cash to keep the tax rate level. Town meeting already voted to use $170,000 from free cash to offset the tax rate.
Selectman Robert Ciskowski said on Tuesday that he thought the closing of Cheshire School would not help matters.
"I wonder if the school closing will affect this," he said. "I am not going to say which way."
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Greylock Glen Outdoor Center 90% Complete
By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff
ADAMS, Mass. — The Greylock Glen Outdoor Center is about 90 percent finished with an anticipated completion date in August.
Matthew Sturz of owner's project manager Colliers International updated the Selectmen on the project's progress via Zoom on Wednesday.
"We'll work with the town to determine exactly the logistics of that," he said in response to questions about the opening. "I think that there's certainly interest in getting the facility open as soon as it can open. But we do need to conclude the construction activities ... it's not federally advisable to have construction activity going on with the public."
The completion will depend on getting a certificate of occupancy for the 10,000-square foot facility.
The $8.3 million project is running eight months behind the expected schedule, Sturz said, largely because of permitting with the state Department of Environmental Protection that required an extensive environmental review of endangered species, working with National Grid to determine how solar will be integrated into the project, and the need for a water system for both potable water and fire suppression.
"Transformers and all manner of electrical switchgear is being significantly impacted by supply chain issues throughout the construction industry," said Sturz. "So coordinating those items up front took a little bit longer than anticipated."
A 350,000-gallon water tank is being constructed on the grounds to provide water with completion expected by July or August.
Michael Wynn, who was selected in January to run the center, submitted a level operating budget of $57,500 but said he could pull funding from different lines to ensure there was money for advertising this fall.
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The Selectmen on Wednesday night voted to award the bid to Mackin Construction Co. Inc. of Greenfield, which plans to invest $11 million to build out 20 or more one- and two-bedroom apartments in the three-story classroom wing that parallels Columbia Street.
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The Selectmen two weeks ago had requested the utility appear before the board after receiving numerous complaints over flickering lights, including in Town Hall.
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Taylor Garabedian scored a team-high 22 points and grabbed five rebounds, and Abby Scialabba scored 16 points for the ‘Canes, who got 16 points, nine rebounds and four assists from Ashlyn Lesure. click for more
On Saturday afternoon at Lowell’s Tsongas Center, the Hurricanes will take aim at Division 5 State Championships in girls and boys basketball. click for more