Framingham Homeowners Could See 2.81% Increase in Tax Bills

Framingham's new chief assessor told Selectmen based on his preliminary data, the average homeowner’s tax bill could rise by $162.51.

Selectmen are scheduled to set the town's tax rate in December. 

Selectmen Chair Dennis Giombetti suggested holding a public hearing on the new rate the first week of December.

According to a presentation by Framingham's Chief Assessor Will Naser, there are more than 13,000 single family homes in Framingham; and the average assessment is $323,985. 

Based on a proposed 2.81% tax increase and a proposed residential tax rate of $18.35 for every $1,000 assessed value, the average homeowner would see about a $6,000 annual property tax bill.

Nasar told Selectmen this year in an "interim year" and based on his preliminary assessment commercial properties would see a slight increase in value (0.2 percent) and single homeowners would see a slight decrease in values.

Nassar said next year is a re-evaluation year for the Town of Framingham.

Selectman Laurie Lee said when it comes time to set the rate she would like not to see the maximum 2.5 percent increase but rather see a 1 or 1.5 percent option.

Lee said she would like to know if Framingham is assessing property too high or too low compared to similar and neighboring communities.

Data from Naser showed commercial properties valued at 1,685,557,837 in Fiscal Year 2013 and preliminary value of 1,696,928,396 in Fiscal Year 2014.

Residential values in FY13 were 5,581,503,793 and a proposed value of 5,563,582,682 in FY14.

• Proposed FY14 residential rate - $18.35
• FY13 rate - $17.84
• FY12 rate - $16.94
• FY11 rate - $16.03
• FY10 rate - $14.52
• FY09 rate - $12.83
• FY08 rate - $12.53