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Date: 4/13/2021
WEST SPRINGFIELD – For the sixth consecutive year, West Springfield’s average single-family tax bill is among the lowest in the state.
The Massachusetts Department of Revenue’s Division of Local Services reported this month that the statewide average single-family tax bill for fiscal year 2021 (FY21) is $6,374. In comparison, the average single-family tax bill in West Springfield is $3,987, making it a difference of $2,388 from the state average.
“It’s great for those in the community, less of your paycheck is going to the government and being reinvested back into the community,” Mayor Will Reichelt said.
Since he took office back in 2016, Reichelt explained they went through the budget and cut out extras, thinning it down to needs and must haves. Efficiency, energy savings and reductions are just a few of the different budget strategies, along with general cost saving strategies.
“We’ve been able to continue to invest, continue to add, continue to invest in our infrastructure but also without having to increase taxes and ask for more. We want to make sure everything is as streamlined as it can possibly be. Going department to department and seeing how we can save costs and still provide good quality of service,” Reichelt said.
A lot of this has happened by consolidating departments like central maintenance on the schools, consolidating information and technology, and making sure that there is no duplication of effort across the town and school side.
“We go into every budget cycle hoping not to raise taxes, that’s our goal. I ask all departments to present me budget scenarios that include 5 percent cut of the department and what that means. It’s an exercise that shows everything in there is truly a must have. That’s really been key throughout the years,” Reichelt said.