The Mattapoisett Select Board met with Administrator of Assessing Mia Robinson to determine whether or not the town should continue with a single tax rate for all forms of real and personal property. The decision was unanimous to stay the course with a single rate.
In her presentation to the board and the town, Robinson shared that real and personal property assessed value stands at $2,674,199,634 for 2024. The average single-family home is valued at $735,647, an increase of 11.7% over 2023. The average single-family home tax bill is projected to be $7,731.65 with the Community Preservation Act adding 1%.
Proposed for 2024 the single tax rate is $10.51 per $1,000 assessed value. Robinson noted this equated to a 6.6% decrease over 2023 of $11.25.
Robinson reported that the amount of revenue to be raised by both tax and non-tax sources in FY24 is $41,585,042.22. This sum includes all enterprise funds. Revenue was and is derived from a tax base of 4,343 units of real property and 702 units of personal property.
New construction assessed value plus personal property growth taking place between December 31, 2021, and December 31, 2022, was $54,448,457, which translates into $612,545 of increased tax-levy capacity over Proposition 2½ and a 40% increase over FY23.
Robinson calculated that a two-tier tax rate would only impact homeowners some 32 cents, while hitting the commercial side by over $5 per $1,000 of valuation. She estimated that commercial owners would see an increase nearing $3,000.
In other business, the board voted, approved and signed 2024 annual licenses. They also approved the spending of $5,500 in ARPA funds for the purchase of three laptops, including setup.
After all that number crunching, the board reminded the public of the annual Holiday in the Park on December 9 between 3:00 pm and 5:00 pm. Events include a buffet of free food and goodies from area vendors, crafts, musical performances, and a visit from Santa, Mrs. Claus, Rudolph, Frosty and Elves. The community tree lighting will also take place.
The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Select Board was not announced upon adjournment.
Mattapoisett Select Board
By Marilou Newell