Carole,
Thanks for this. I really enjoy your newsletter.
Question for you — has anyone also discussed Personal Property Taxes (PPT) in the context of the RTE?
I believe the PPT [Personal Property Tax] is an additional tax only paid by nonresident homeowners which is already in effect. I feel like those amounts should be included in your table as well to reflect the additional tax burden of non-residents.
Again, really love the newsletter and appreciate you pulling it together.
Alex Margolies
Alex,
Thank you for your kind words about SU. Yes indeed, PPT is another example of state-mandated tax from which primary homeowners are exempt. Second homeowners, commercial, industrial, and other property owners are required to pay PPT. Stockbridge has no control over it and must, by law, collect it. (See Notes from Board of Assessors)
With respect to RTE, your other house may be in a state where there is no real estate tax or no state income tax. Also check, under RTE, your taxes may go up an insignificant amount. Weigh the cost/benefits and select your primary residence.
Carole
Hi Carole,
I hope you are enjoying this beautifully sunny day!
I’m writing with two purposes.
One is to compliment you on Stockbridge Updates. It’s a fantastic way to find out what’s going on in and around town. I’m grateful for it.
Second, here at the Library, we are engaging in our 5-year strategic planning process. One of the most important parts of the process is receiving feedback from the community about the ways we can most beneficially serve the town. I wonder if it would be possible to post a link to our survey in your next newsletter?
I have attached an image with QR codes that link to the survey, and separate links for a click-through, in case you are amenable to this idea.
Thanks for considering!
Warmly, Wendy
Wendy Pearson is Director of Stockbridge Library
Hi Wendy,
Thank you for your kind words. SU is always delighted to link to Town or nonprofit surveys. We have included the library survey links in two places in this issue.
Carole
To Stockbridge Updates
Thoughts on the last selectboard meeting:
The selectman was rude and aggressive towards the chairman, “nothing personal”.
The chairman lost his cool and didn’t get it back.
The selectwoman was upset.
The finance chair barged his way in.
Two zoom callers were uncivil.
The second homeowners feel victimized.
Oy vey!
Anne Rabinowitz
Dear Dr. Owens,
I applaud your effort on keeping us Stockbridge residents up on what’s happening in our town, but this last post, on the Aug. 11 Select Board meeting, left me intrigued but uninformed.
Did I miss the actual minutes? Did you post them somewhere I can read them? Apologies if they were clickable, but if there is a link, it isn’t working with my iPhone.
I was an editor for the AP for 32 years but wouldn’t have made it to my second month had I written something like “I Never Would Have Believed It” without backing it up by naming names (attribution), providing concrete examples, direct quotes, and/or an actual transcript.
Otherwise, I’ve been happy to receive your emails.
Best, Barbara Woike
Dear Ms. Woike,
How nice of you to write. Your credentials are impressive and thank you for the applause. If you ever want to do a bit of proofreading, let me know.
What you were reading was an editorial about a meeting not the minutes of a meeting. Please go to www.CTSBTV.org to view the entire meeting. No one acted particularly well at the SB meeting. Outing them by name, characterizing their behavior, or casting aspersions is not what SU ever does. It was just one meeting, and if I know Stockbridge, everyone will act better next time.
Again, thanks for your comments.
Carole
