The South Hadley Board of Assessors (BOA) announces that the real estate and personal property values for FY 2017 (July 1, 2016 to June 30, 2017) have been finalized and certified by the Massachusetts Department of Revenue (DOR). The BOA further announces that the Town and District tax rates have also been approved by DOR at $17.83 per $1,000 of assessment for the Town, $2.29 for Fire District #1 and $2.83 for Fire District #2. The Town rate increased $0.27 over last year, Fire District #1’s rate did not change and Fire District #2’s rate decreased by $0.10. Therefore, the combined Town and Fire District tax rate for Fire District #1 property is $20.12 and for Fire District #2 property is $20.66.
The Town and Districts continue to have a single rate which applies to all classes of property; residential and open space as well as commercial, industrial, and personal. This is in accordance with the vote of the Selectboard and the Prudential Committees of both fire districts, subsequent to the Classification Hearing held December 5, 2016.
Taxpayers are reminded that the Town tax rate is a result of appropriations approved by Town Meeting and debt exclusions for school and library building projects approved by town-wide votes. Fire District tax rates are a result of appropriations approved by District voters, independently in each Fire District.
Property valuations for FY 2017 are based upon market conditions as of January 1, 2016 in accordance with MA DOR statutes.
Tax bills for the third quarter of FY 2017 will be mailed out at the end of December 2016. Applications for property tax abatements are due by February 1, 2017.