I am writing in response to the proposed 2026 tax override in Easthampton. At the April 27 City Council meeting, the mayor estimated that the tax increase for a medium-priced home in Easthampton ($418,000), would be “approximately $1,200 per year.” Looking further, at our current tax rate of $13.29 per $1,000, the current tax on that home would be $5,555
per year. Therefore, the tax increase would be a stunning 21.6%.
This is 8-1/2 times the nominal 2.5% increase that triggers a tax override, bigger even than the 2020 19% override imposed when the Mountain View School was initiated. And remember, this is not a “one shot” increase. It establishes a new base from which future tax increases will be added.
We have a structural problem in our budget, and as painful as it will be, that problem has to be addressed by city leadership before a tax increase is considered. Overrides are forever.
William Joss
Easthampton