FY2027 Tax Classification and Tax Rate
At a glance
- What: the annual tax classification hearing, where the Select Board and Board of Assessors choose between a single tax rate and a split rate and decide on optional exemptions before the state certifies the FY2027 rate.
- Where it stands: on Oct 13, 2026 the board voted a residential factor of 1 (single rate), not to adopt a residential exemption and not to adopt a small commercial exemption, and authorized the principal assessor to sign the LA-5 form digitally. The single rate is expected to be about $11.38 per $1,000, down 12 cents (1.04%).
- Next: state certification of the rate (the assessor hopes by Oct 31); the assessor promised follow-up data to the board.
Key numbers (from auto-captions; some figures garbled)
- Total values up about $497 million (about 5%) year over year and about 34% since FY23; the average single-family assessment rose $22,764 (2.99%) and the average single-family bill rises $167.71 (1.92%).
- Residential property holds steady at 87-89% of value; about 7 to 1 over commercial, industrial and personal property. Assessors recommended against a split rate because it would shift about $7 to commercial taxpayers per $1 saved by residential.
- Rule of thumb from the assessor: consider a split rate when residential falls below about 75% of value.
Concerns and follow-ups
- Gregg Richards asked for a min/max or quartile view of bill changes, since residents say the average does not match their bills; Ruth Anderson offered breakdowns by style, neighborhood, size or age.
- A member (apparently Anand Sharma) asked about a means-tested senior exemption (about $1,000 to $2,000, citing a 2012 example) and about the share of the levy paid by the largest taxpayers; Anderson said the town's home rule petition to raise exemption income and asset limits is still moving through the Legislature.
Discussion time
About 58 minutes across 1 meeting (from transcript timestamps; approximate).
| Meeting | Minutes |
|---|---|
| 2026-10-13 - Select Board | 58 |
Log
- 2026-10-13 - 2026-10-13 - Select Board: joint hearing with the Board of Assessors; Ruth Anderson presented; four unanimous votes (single rate, no residential exemption, no small commercial exemption, LA-5 digital signature). About 58 minutes.
- 2026-10-27 - 2026-10-27 - Select Board Meeting: town manager reported the FY27 tax rate certified at $11.38.