Friday, May 17, 2013
With Town Meeting members approving $18 million for water and $21 million for sewer, the average homeowner could see their water/sewer bill increase by $250.
Town Meeting members approved an $18 million water budget and a $21 million sewer budget this week. Those Town Meeting votes will translate to a 20 percent increase in water and sewer bills said Framingham Chief Financial Officer Mary Ellen Kelley. Kelley said based on the approval of the water and sewer enterprise Town Meeting articles, the average homeowner could see their water and sewer bill increase by $250. Some Town Meeting member said the "huge" increase may shock and "surprise" some homeowners. The CFO called the increase "substantial." New rates typically go into effect n July 1. Homeowners saw between 2-3 percent increase this year (FY13). In FY12, the water rate increased by 5 percent but the sewer rate increase 15-17 percent. …
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
Three of the four members of the town's legislative delegation urged Framingham officials to budget conservatively.
State lawmakers told Framingham officials not to count on sizeable increases in state aid as they prepare next year's budget, but expressed optimism that state education funding at least would continue to climb. "If I were a prudent fiscal manager in your shoes, I would not plan on an increase in state aid," Rep. Thomas P. Conroy (D-Wayland) told Framingham Selectmen Tuesday night. Conroy, whose district includes the Saxonville section of Framingham, said budgetmakers used a one-time windfall of more than $500 million to balance this year's budget. "That hole will have to be addressed again." "That is not what we wanted to hear," said Selectmen Chair Charles Sisitsky. Earlier this month, Town Manager Bob Halpin unveiled a $236 million …
Wednesday, March 6, 2013
The proposed Fiscal Year 2014 budget would increase the average homeowner's tax bill by $148.
Seven new police officers, $250,000 for school security and funds to aid economic development efforts were among the highlights of a proposed $236 million budget presented to Selectmen Tuesday night. Town Manager Bob Halpin said the spending plan for fiscal year 2014, his first budget since being hired in mid-2012, funds the majority of departments at a level service rate while allowing for "strategic investments" in key areas. "We have the opportunity for the first time in many years to address some important areas," Halpin said. The budget plan represents an increase of $8.4 million, or 3.7 percent above the current fiscal year. Though assessment figures are not finalized, Framingham Chief Financial Officer Mary Ellen Kelley said the …
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
"This high confidence in Framingham is the result of a lot of hard work in balancing budget, protecting and building financial reserves, and addressing our long range financial pictures," said Town Manager Bob Halpin.
Framingham Town Manager Bob Halpin said the the Town of Framingham has completed a highly successful municipal bond sale Wednesday, Dec. 5 that will save Framingham taxpayers a total of $633,220 over the remaining 12 year life of the bonds. The sale included: “This was a very successful sale and a significant financial savings for the Town. Clearly, the investment community continues to see Framingham as a very sound investment despite a lot of other uncertainty in the market place. This high confidence in Framingham is the result of a lot of hard work in balancing budget, protecting and building financial reserves, and addressing our long range financial pictures. We should all be proud that the result of this effort can be seen in real …
Thursday, November 29, 2012
The average single-family home bill could drop by about $17, and other news you missed from this week's Selectmen's meeting.
While efforts to get the Fiscal Year 2013 tax rate in place well before Christmas may fall short, it may be worth the wait for homeowners. Based on preliminary data that has yet to be approved by the Massachusetts Department of Revenue and assuming the maximum allowed shift in the tax burden to commercial properties, the average single family home - worth $324,377 - would be taxed $5,756.95, a savings of $17.01 over 2012. Under that scenario, the residential tax rate would be $17.76 per thousand dollars of valuation, while the commercial industrial and personal property rate would be $40.14, Chief Assessor Daniel Dargon told the board Tuesday night. Framingham Selectmen will set the fiscal year 2013 tax rate - and decide how large the …
Friday, September 21, 2012
With an unexpected infusion of funds from the state, CFO Mary Ellen Kelley proposes a plan that would mean residential tax bills would remain unchanged from last year.
Framingham’s Chief Financial Officer Mary Ellen Kelley updated her tax projections for fiscal year 2013 and offered the town a plan that would not increase residential taxes. Kelley recommended earmarking a $1.2 million windfall of state aid to reduce the tax levy and in December knocking a point off the residential-commercial shift to 1.74. If Kelley’s suggestions are followed the average residential tax payer would be obligated to pay on average $5,773.95 in taxes for FY 2013, the same as last year. The residential tax rate under Kelley’s plan would be $17.74 per $1,000 of assessed value, which is higher than the FY 2012 tax rate of $16.94. But the average assessment for a residential property in 2013 dropped to $325,509 from FY 2012’s $…
Friday, February 24, 2012
A 1.5% increase in the town's budget would increase the average homeowner's bill by about $86, according to Framingham's Chief Financial Officer.
Residents may see an increase of $86.42, on average, in their annual tax bill in Fiscal Year 2013, if Town Meeting agrees to a proposed 1.5% increase in the Framingham's budget. The 1.5% increase was supported by the Framingham Board of Selectmen with a unanimous vote. Chief Financial Officer Mary Ellen Kelley had presented a recommended budget, with a 2.5% increase. That budget would mean a homeowner, on average, would pay $144.02 more in taxes in fiscal year 2013, explained Kelley. “Our taxpayers deserve any kind of break they can get,” said Selectman Chair Jason Smith. “This (the 1.5% levy increase) makes the most sense because we’re not touching the schools and it gives our taxpayers some relief.” A zero percent increase would have …
42.27981
-71.41634
Framingham Town Hall: Memorial Building
150 Concord St, Framingham, MA
/articles/selectmen-1-5-budget-increase-86
800226
/locations/6443527
Walking Man
11:50 pm on Saturday, May 18, 2013
Water tax shortfall due to Sealtest plant closure, why not raise real estate taxes and leave water rates alone? Either way the town needs to make up for the shortfall. more ›