The Committee for Building Easthampton’s Future has put forth a major effort to correct the shortcomings of older aging schools in one fell swoop.
Very conscientious people have dared to dream big and have rolled the dice with persuasive presentations about the wisdom of making this project a reality.
The down side of their effort is that they failed to recognize that the package presented would have an unreasonable impact on the taxpayers of Easthampton. Projected rates per $1,000 of assessed valuation would increase property taxes by 18.63 percent, based on the presentation of the last forum on May 1.
The Daily Hampshire Gazette has reported that the median assessed property in Easthampton is $228,200. Based on the fiscal year 2018 assessed rate of $16 per $1,000 of valuation, the property taxes owed would equate to $3,651.20. A 16.83 percent increase adds $680, and 24 percent increases the tax burden by $876, or to a high to $4,527.
If the May 22 school vote is approved, an unfair and unreasonable tax burden will fall upon seniors, veterans and persons with disabilities, who are pretty much on fixed incomes. Everyone else will also take a substantial hit.
The City Council on May 2 approved some relief for seniors by increasing the current property tax reduction from $700 to $1,000 for those whose annual income is $29,000 or less. The eligibility age also was reduced from 70 to 65.
However, this measure is inadequate and the earnings qualification should be increased to annual household earnings of $86,000 consistent with the New York State School Tax Relief Program (known as the STAR Program).
I requested May 2 that the City Council further evaluate relief for seniors, veterans and persons with disabilities, and I submitted a partial summary of the STAR Program that provides relief to seniors as either a property tax credit or exemption. This program provides a $50,000 reduction from assessed valuation on a person’s principal residence.
Norman Taft
Easthampton