The Tax Classification Hearing was part of the SB meeting. Once a year, in the fall, it is Commonwealth law that select boards consider and determine by majority vote three tax items: Will the Town have a single tax rate or a split tax rate between residential class and commercial class? Will the Town adopt the Residential Tax Exemption? Will the Town adopt the Small Commercial Tax Exemption? After the Assessor’s report and a recommendation from the Board of Assessors NOT to adopt the Commercial Tax Exemption, the SB voted as follows:

In favor of the single tax rate between commercial and residential — unanimous

In favor of the Small Commercial Tax Exemption — unanimous

Residential Tax Exemption — Cardillo and Minacci opposed; White in favor — RTE failed to be adopted.

The Small Commercial Tax exemption will benefit eight businesses out of 36 total businesses; The savings to the eight businesses (up to 10% of valuation) will be spread over the others in the class. However, since the projected tax rate is down from $8.11 last year to $7.37 this year, and the increases will be around $.06, businesses will pay less than last year – $7.43 compared to $8.11. 

A number of folks spoke in favor of RTE including White. 

White explained: 

In 2000, the tax rate was approximately $10, and the median house price was $235,000. That made the average tax bill $2350.

In 2023, the tax rate will be approximately $7.37, and the median house price is $750,000. The average tax bill will be $5527.

At the same time the median income of primary residents remained the same at $45,000. 

Taxes are up 250% and income is flat — that is the basis of the need for RTE. 

In addition, John Hart added, there is a fairness argument, in most cases, the increase in primary homeowners’ taxes is not a result of any improvements or additions they made, but instead are a result of second homeowners building multi-million-dollar houses. Valuations of those houses lifts valuations of all houses.

Further matters on the agenda were the financial problems for Community Television South Berkshire (CTSB) because CTSB income is tied to the amount of Spectrum subscriber income and that is in rapid decline. They asked that we write our representatives before October 31, 2023, and support new legislation (MS F34) creating more income for CTSB.

There was also a discussion of how to organize and coordinate with the Stockbridge-Munsee returning. A steering committee was suggested — further discussion at the next SB meeting.