By Beth David, Editor
The Acushnet Selectboard set the FY21 tax rates at its 11/17 meeting, retaining the 25% shift that means commercial properties pay more, and leaving about $350,000 in excess tax levy. The tax rate was based on a levy lower than the state’s certified, according to Principal Assessor Kelly Koska. The town worked up the numbers and then the state increased the levy, meaning that the town could have increased the tax rate a little more and still stay within the confines of Proposition 2 1/2, which limits municipalities from increasing tax levy assessments by more than 2 1/2 percent.
Acushnet had a healthy amount of new growth, which allows an increase, and a one-time readjustment in the personal property tax (equipment owned by businesses), that also created a large increase.
The result is a Fiscal Year 21 tax rate of $13.83 for residential property, and $17.86 for Commercial, Industrial, Personal Property (CIP).
Had the board decided to use the excess tax levy, the rates would have been 44 cents more for residential, and .36 for CIP.
“Historically, we don’t leave excess levy capacity,” said Ms. Koska.
The tax rate is per $1,000, so residents need to multiply the $13.83 by the assessed value of their home. For instance, a $100,000 home would pay $1,383 in taxes plus debt exclusions, such as the police safety complex.
School Business Manager Kristin Flynn updated the board on the school department’s use of $350,000 in CARES Act (COVID-19) money. The schools used the money to install air filtration systems and isolation areas, bought Chromebooks and joined a network for remote learning.
The board also approved $12,000 for the Cable access department to buy equipment and pay for other upgrades to improve the efficiency and quality of the transmission and recording of town meetings.
The board also authorized the veterans agent to administer the donations to the Veterans Memorial, as Tom DeCosta will no longer be able to.
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