 North Adams Property Owners to See Tax Rates Fall, Bills RiseThe City Council on Tuesday voted to maintain the split tax shift, resulting in a drop in the residential and commercial tax rates. However, higher property values also mean a $222 higher tax bill.  Pittsfield Panel Supports $280K Winter Maintenance DeficitThe account is permitted to operate a deficit and has overspent $781,220. Curtis Says $200K Cut Won't Mean Staff ReductionsCurtis reported that the district would be comfortable bringing forward proposals for non-staff member cuts on June 26, sending out the information to committee member before hands.  Clarksburg Officials Keep PreK Program FreeThey ended up agreeing to dip into their reserves to ensure that preschool will continue free for town residents.  MCLA in Talks With Anonymous Donor for Art Museum, Art LabPresident Jamie Birge told the board of trustees on Thursday that the college has been in discussions for the last couple years with a donor who wishes at this point to remain anonymous. New Finance Subcommittee Sees Pittsfield Q2 Financial ReviewThe Finance subcommittee last week was presented with a second-quarter review of fiscal 2024, which ended on Dec. 31.  Pittsfield Council Closes Term With Tax Rate ApprovalsDespite the pain of raising taxes, a majority of the City Council members agreed that it is their responsibility to approve 2024 tax classification so that the city doesn't fall behind. Pittsfield Council to Tackle Tax Rate, Zoning Amendment ProposalsThe City Council on Tuesday will take up the fiscal 2024 tax classification and a proposed battery energy storage overlay district. Clarksburg Taxpayers Will See Drop in Tax Rate, Increase in BillsThe Select Board last week voted for a single tax rate that will translate to an estimated property tax of $15.13 per $1,000 valuation. Average Dalton Property Bill Rises 7%The Select Board voted to maintain a single tax rate, as it has done in the past, during its meeting on Thursday night.  Pittsfield Council Tables FY24 Tax Rate AsksWard 1 Councilor Kenneth Warren, Ward 2 Councilor Charles Kronick and at-Large Councilor Karen Kalinowsky spoke against the proposal that would increase the average homeowner's bill by 8.75 percent.  North Adams City Council Sets Fiscal 2024 Tax RateThe average residential property tax bill will go up by $103.85 for fiscal year 2024 under a tax distribution plan OK'd by the City Council on Tuesday. Lanesborough Select Board OKs Single Tax RateThe Select Board on Monday voted to adopt a single tax rate that will mean the average homeowners' tax bill will go up by $107. Proposed Pittsfield Tax Rate Would Hike Bills 8.75%Mayor Linda Tyer and the Board of Assessors have put forward a residential rate of $18.45 per $1,000 of valuation and a commercial, industrial, and personal property rate of $39.61.  Adams Tax Rate Drops 6% But Bills Will RiseThat translates to a residential tax rate of $17.54 per $1,000 assessed value, down around 6 percent from last year's $18.59, and a commercial rate of $24.23, down from $25.65 last year. Williamstown Sets Fiscal 2024 Tax RateThe property tax bill on a median single-family home in town is slated to rise by $187 in the current fiscal year.  Williamstown Prudential Committee Increases Fees, Rejects Residential Tax ExemptionFollowing up on a request he made at the committee's July meeting, Chief Craig Pedercini asked the panel's permission to increase the fee for inspecting a residential property at the time of sale and institute fees for the business inspections the department conducts on an annual basis.  Healey Signs $56B State Budget for Fiscal 2024Gov. Maura Healey on Wednesday morning signed a $55.98 billion state budget for fiscal 2024 that includes a half-million in earmarks for Berkshire County projects. Pittsfield Council Approves Appropriations in 11th Hour of FY23The City Council on Friday approved three appropriations in the 11th hour of fiscal 2023 after they were derailed earlier in the week. Kronick's Charter Objections Cause Unrest in Pittsfield Council ChambersPresident Peter Marchetti pleaded for him to reconsider the motions, as these costs will become taxpayers' burden if they are not appropriated by the end of the fiscal year on Friday.  Pittsfield Council Approves $205M BudgetThe City Council approved a $205 million operating budget for fiscal 2024 on Tuesday.  North Adams Council Approved $47M Spending Plan for Fiscal 2024The spending plan at $47,410,070 is up $2,873,335, or 6.45 percent, over this year's budget.  Pittsfield City Council Gives Initial OK to Police, Public Services BudgetsOn the last day of fiscal 2024 budget hearings last week, the City Council preliminarily approved five departmental spending plans and a $205 million city budget. North Adams Finance Approves Public Safety, Public Service BudgetsThe Finance Committee last week voted to recommended the final line items for the city's proposed $$47,410,070 budget for fiscal 2024.  North Adams Finance Committee Begins Fiscal 2024 Budget ReviewThe Finance Committee last week began review of the fiscal 2024 budget presented by Mayor Jennifer Macksey, voting to recommend the School Department and General Government spending plans and compensation plan. |
