Dalton and Fire District Set Tax Rates for FY25

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
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DALTON, Mass. — The Select Board voted to maintain a single tax rate, as it has done historically, during its meeting on Monday night. 
 
This means all types of properties within the town, whether residential, commercial, or industrial, will be taxed at the same rate.
 
The town's tax rate for fiscal year 2025 is projected to be $16.47 per $1,000 property value, which is a decrease of 54 cents from last year's rate of $17.01. 
 
The average tax bill for a single-family residence in Dalton would be about $5,561.06 for an average value of $337,648.
 
Residential properties continue to represent most of the total value in town, at approximately 86 percent, with commercial, industrial, and personal property only making up about 14 percent, Assessor's Clerk Lee Nunez said.  
 
The town's excess levy capacity for FY25 is approximately $777,158, which is down from FY24's figure of $864,386.07. The town takes this figure into consideration when developing the budget. 
 
The total assessed value of taxable properties in town for FY25 is $959,176,725, an increase of $63,853,860, or 7.13 percent over last year. 
 
The Dalton Fire District's prudential committee also voted to maintain a single-payer tax rate, as it has done for many years, at its meeting on Tuesday. 
 
The Fire District and town are two separate governing and taxing bodies. The Fire and Water departments are the Fire District's responsibility. The Board of Water Commissioners and the Prudential Committee govern the district.
 
The district's tax rate is set according to its yearly budget. During the Fire District's annual meeting, voters approved budget articles amounting to approximately $3,524,680 for fiscal year 2025. 
 
A number of the budget hikes were caused by increases outside the district's control, specifically insurance, Water Commission Chair James Driscoll said during the annual meeting
 
The district's tax rate for fiscal 2025 is projected to be $1.66 per $1,000 property value. 
 
The average tax bill for a single-family residence in Dalton would be about $559.42 for an average value of $337,648.

Tags: fire district,   fiscal 2025,   property taxes,   tax classification,   

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Friday Front Porch Feature: A Colonial in South Pittsfield

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Are you looking for a classic New England Colonial in the city? Then this is the home for you.

Our Friday Front Porch is a weekly feature spotlighting attractive homes for sale in Berkshire County. This week, we are showcasing 66 Emerson Ave.

This three-bedroom, one-bathroom home was built in 1924 and has 1,540 square feet with 0.15 acres.

The house features the original hardwood floors with a tiled kitchen that has granite countertops, and a heated sunroom.

The house also has a detached one-car garage and was recently updated with electrical, windows, and kitchen, leaving less worry for the new owners. 

It is currently on the market for $315,000 but is pending.

We spoke with Carrie Lobovits Wright with William Pitt Sotheby's International Realty.

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

It offers an incredibly spacious, open yet cozy layout with a perfect blend of functional living and charm. Having a four-season sunroom is such a wonderful feature; combined with the updated kitchen, which includes an absolutely adorable pantry with glass cabinets and a separate dining area, this home offers incredible value at this price point. It's truly a standout!

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

Imagine hosting delightful dinners in the charming dining room, preparing meals in the roomy kitchen, and unwinding at the end of the day in the lovely sunroom or the warm, inviting living room. Thoughtfully crafted to make everyday living a joy, it's also perfect for entertaining friends and family.

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

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