A small town in western Massachusetts is experiencing tension over a proposed property tax increase of 50%. Neighbors have started taking each other’s campaign yard signs, and there are fears that some might have to sell their homes.
On Tuesday, residents of South Hadley will cast their votes on a plan aimed at addressing a local budget shortfall.
This measure could generate around $11 million for the town, potentially raising the average homeowner’s tax bill by about $1,700 annually. Alternatively, a less aggressive proposal would raise $9 million, pushing the average tax increase to around $1,400.
For homeowners, the implications might be substantial.
A single-family home valued at around $417,000 could see its annual property taxes rise from $5,639 to $7,082 under the $9 million plan. If the $11 million option is approved, the bill could reach $7,403.
Looking ahead, with further incremental increases, taxes could climb to roughly $8,477 over five years under the higher funding plan.
The revenue from this tax increase is intended to address a $3 million budget deficit and support public schools.
Officials clarify that the often-cited “50% increase” reflects an anticipated rise in the town’s overall tax burden over a five-year span, not necessarily a one-year jump, and that actual bills might differ depending on how much of its taxing capacity the town utilizes.
Massachusetts already ranks among the states with the highest property taxes in the U.S., where homeowners pay an average of approximately $7,900 each year, with only a few Northeastern states, like New Jersey and Connecticut, exceeding this amount.
Residents could also face varying increases as property tax bills are issued in installments, often seeing larger jumps in the latter half of the fiscal year.
Stephen Franz, an 82-year-old resident, expressed his concern about potentially having to sell his beloved home, which he has meticulously cared for. “It’s absolutely devastating,” he shared, lamenting the looming possibility of leaving.
Martha Terry, a former teacher against the tax hike, voiced the frustration of residents who are already grappling with rising costs, emphasizing that it’s not just about being frugal. “We’re not bad guys,” she remarked.
Terry underscored that they aren’t merely being stingy, insisting, “We’re not like the straight-laced, frugal old Scrooges.”
On the other hand, proponents of the tax increase argue that such measures are necessary to avoid severe cuts to essential services, including schools and police, which leaves little choice but to raise funds.
“I’m very nervous,” stated Larry Dixon, an advocate for the tax hike. “We have skin in the game here.”
The struggle has escalated to the point where campaign signs have been removed from both sides’ yards, prompting local law enforcement to issue a blunt reminder: “Stealing signs won’t change your mind; it will only change your criminal record.”
