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| By Sarah M. Corigliano Assistant Managing Editor EAST LONGMEADOW The Board of Selectmen has announced a public hearing regarding the Fiscal Year 2006 tax levy. The hearing, which will take place Sept. 13 at 6:30 p.m. in the hearing room at Town Hall, will help determine the percentages of tax levy to be placed upon real and personal property in town. Chairman of the Board of Assessors William Johnston said the town has had a single tax rate, meaning the same rate is charged to businesses and residents, since 1991. He also said the Board of Assessors has recommended to the Board of Selectmen to stay with the single tax rate. "[The single tax rate] provides what I consider to be appropriate public policy for the industrial park," Johnston explained. Ken Spafford, current president of the East Longmeadow/Longmeadow Chamber of Commerce, and owner of Spafford Leasing in Longmeadow, agrees with the assessors. "Our recommendation is basically to have the fixed rate," Spafford told The Reminder. "I think the single rate has been very attractive in addtion to being able to bring in [businesses] quickly because the utilities, etc. are already there." Spafford pointed out that local, as well as national and international companies have been attracted to East Longmeadow in the last several years and he said that has a positive effect on employment levels and the real estate market. He added that East Longmeadow's single tax rate allows the town to be competitive in attracting businesses to its industrial corridor. Spafford, as well as other members of the East Longmeadow/Longmeadow Chamber board will attend Tuesday's hearing. Last week, the Board of Selectmen also announced that, for those residents who can not attend Tuesday's hearing, they will accept written statements prior to it. Statements may be submitted in advance to the Board of Selectmen, 60 Center Square, East Longmeadow, MA 01028. |