Selectmen Support Single Tax Rate For Business and Residential Properties

Norton Selectmen voted unanimously Thursday to continue a single tax rate, with residential properties and businesses paying the same rate in town.

The decision came at the recommendation of Director of Assessing Lisa Cathcart.

"Due to the overall composition and make-up of the Town of Norton, as well as the current economic climate, a Split Tax Rate does not appear to be a consideration at this time," Cathcart wrote in a memo to selectmen.

As a result of the vote, the Single Tax Rate for Fiscal Year 2014 will be $15.37. According to Cathcart, that means the average single family home will see an FY14 Tax Bill of $4,340 - up $141 from last year's $4,200 average bill.

On the business side, the average business will see an average Tax Bill of $16,709 - up $161 from last year's average bill of $16,548.

Selectmen agreed that putting a larger burden on businesses could hinder growth in town. Currently, Norton's percentage shares are 84.2 percent residential and 15.8 percent commercial.

Selectman Mary Steele said that for many small Norton businesses, a substantial shift in the tax rate could be detrimental. She added that many business in town are already giving back in charitable ways.

Selectmen Chair Robert Kimball noted a desire to bring more businesses to town.

"Any time we can encourage new businesses in town, obviously we don’t want to put any new burden on businesses," he said.