The article headlined “Community tax rates being released” (Monitor Local & State, Nov. 28) listed the rates of 31 communities. Deering had the third highest tax rate and the second highest school tax rate (ours is $17.98; only Hopkinton’s is higher at $18.50).
Hopkinton’s assessed valuation on which to bill taxes is more than four times Deering’s. Compare Hopkinton’s assessment at $746,682,855 with Deering at $170,387,410. Hopkinton’s tax rate of $29.12 is spread over a larger assessment than Deering’s $30.62 (paid by homeowners as there is little business here).
Few of us want to pinch pennies on education. There is something we can do to reduce the tax burden. When Current Use Tax (tax on land being developed that has been billed a minimal tax to retain undeveloped acreage) is paid, 100% is paid to our town’s Conservation Commission. In some towns, all of CU tax defrays the school bill and municipal expenses. In other towns, 50% of CU tax goes to the town.
During my tenure as tax collector, a measure to go the fifty-fifty route on current use taxation was brought and defeated. It is time to try again. This requires a petition, signed by 25 registered Deering voters, to put the measure on the ballot.
If people do not show up to vote at town meeting, it will again be defeated, leaving a small boat keeping Deering’s taxation afloat.
NANCY COWAN
Deering