EASTHAMPTON — After a brief presentation by Principal Assessor Martha Leamy, the Easthampton City Council voted to keep the town’s current single tax classification for fiscal year 2025.
Leamy explained that it is the department’s recommendation to keep the classification the same as it has been for years. She clarified that this does not set the tax rate for FY 25. That will be done in the spring. This classification hearing and presentation came after all final values of property had been determined and all property had been classified.
The FY24 tax rate was $13.56 which was down significantly from the $16.21 rate in 2017 and lower than many similarly-sized towns in the area such as South Hadley, which is $14.41, Southampton, which is $14.25, and Belchertown which is $15.32.
No residents spoke during the public hearing for the tax classification.
Councilors also discussed some of the work that the subcommittees have been doing.
Councilor Thomas Peake, chair of the finance subcommittee, noted that there would be a public hearing at the next City Council meeting on Dec. 4 to discuss a proposed yearly increase of $3,000 for the mayor’s salary. No other salaries for elected officers or appointed committees will be changed.
Councilor Owen Zaret, chair of the public safety subcommittee, noted that it had been discussing a possible reversal of the traffic direction on Daley Field Road in Nonotuck Park. The committee will continue to hear public input and hopes to hear from the director of public works at its Dec. 10 meeting.
