Tax Rate: Aldermen, Councilors to Discuss on Monday

Homeowners and commercial taxpayers could start knowing if they will be receiving an early Christmas present next week when the Common Council and Board of Aldermen meet on Monday to discuss the commercial and residential tax rate for the 2012 fiscal year.

The Aldermen and Councilors will meet in joint session at 5:30 p.m. in the Peter J McCarren Memorial Chambers, Everett City Hall to vote on the adoption of the Minimum Residential Factor . Presently, the commercial tax shift is 175% of the residential factor – a move that lessens the burden on residential taxpayers by shifting more of the burden to commercial taxpayers. It has been a common move over the years in Everett and many other communities, though it is a crucial part of setting the overall rates.

Then at 6:30 p.m, the Common Council will meet to discuss  and vote on Adoption the 20 percent Residential Exemption and to start the process to set the tax rate.  According to the current Everett Charter, the motion to approve the tax rate will have to go before both the Common Council and Board of Aldermen at least twice, which means that the tax rate could be set by the City’s Board of Assessors in mid-December.

At several meetings in the last few months, members of  both the Common Council and the Board of Aldermen have stressed the need to reduce the commercial tax rate that is currently $37.02 per thousand and one of the highest in the area. The residential tax rate currently stands at $13.51 for owner-occupied homes.

All interested parties are invited to present their views, either orally or in writing, at the meetings. Individuals not able to attend the Public Hearing may direct written comments and recommendations to the City Council, Everett City Hall, 484 Broadway, Everett, Massachusetts, 02149.

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