Selectmen declare town to continue with flat tax rate
Date: 10/13/2009
By Courtney Llewellyn
Reminder Assistant Editor
EAST LONGMEADOW -- Last Tuesday, Selectman James Driscoll voted for the sixth time to determine the town's tax classification whether it should remain level for businesses and residences or if it should be split.
"I've always supported a flat rate," Driscoll stated. He said he's done so because it makes "great business sense" and that a flat rate helps keep businesses in town instead of seeing them move to other states for lower taxes.
"We're trying to keep a level playing field," he added.
The selectmen annually meet with the Board of Assessors to set the tax rate. Bill Johnston, chair of the Board of Assessors, said the assessors recommended the level tax rate this year because in this economic climate, it's "the wrong time to make any change in that area."
Barbara Perry, chair of the East of the River Chamber of Commerce, which encompasses East Longmeadow, Longmeadow, Hampden, Wilbraham and Ludlow, stated at the meeting that East Longmeadow has been very successful with its competitive tax rates, noting several new businesses have moved into the town and that its industrial park is nearly full. She added that from 2007 to 2008, the town saw a 9.3 percent increase in its tax base and a 3.3 percent increase from 2008 to 2009.
Business owners in town commented on their appreciation of the single tax rate. Dawn Starks of Acres Power Equipment said the reason the businesses in town have been doing so well is the tax rate. She added that businesses can often contribute to the community in ways besides taxes as well.
East Longmeadow had a tax rate of $16.26 for fiscal year 2009; Longmeadow had $17.11, Wilbraham, $15.29, Ludlow, $14.28.
The selectmen voted unanimously to accept a flat tax rate for the next year. They will determine the fiscal year 2010 tax rate later this year.
Other Selectmen Updates Driscoll, chair of the town's Board of Health, noted that East Longmeadow has received $6,300 so far in a public health emergency grant to help deal with H1N1 vaccinations, but no date has been determined when those vaccinations will be made available to residents. Executive Secretary Nick Breault said they would most likely become available toward the end of October or the beginning of November.
The selectmen also announced that the Covanta Energy Corporation, which owns and operates Energy-from-Waste and power generation projects, has lowered its tipping fees. This will result in a $10,000 to $20,000 savings to the town, according to Driscoll.
