STOCKBRIDGE â The Select Board and Town Administrator Michael Canales have put the finishing touches on the proposed budget plan for fiscal 2022, reflecting a preliminary estimate of a 1.7 percent increase in property taxes, on average, for single-family residences.
The operating budget, approved by the board in a 3-0 vote, is $7,554,952, a reduction of $61,098 from the current fiscal year ending June 30.
The townâs assessment from the Berkshire Hills Regional School District for educating local youngsters is an additional $3,158,215, representing a $217,652 increase, or nearly 7 percent, over the current year.
The projected Stockbridge tax rate is $9.95 per $1,000 of assessed value.
Thatâs up 1.7 percent, amounting to an estimated tax increase of just under $95 for the average single-family home valued at $565,000.
Where: Richmond Consolidated School, 1831 State Road (Route 41), gymnasium.
A large turnout is expected this year as voters consider whether to approve a major investment with a massive payoff, promising to create what this rural community lacks: The semblance of a centrally located âdowntownâ to replace a century-old, deteriorated and hazardous Town Hall and a cramped, rented library in a former garage.
Town Center project: Enthusiastically recommended by the Finance Committee, the proposed town offices, community center and library complex would be the largest building project since the renovation and expansion of the Richmond Consolidated School 20 years ago. Requiring financing toward an estimated cost of up to $6.8 million, a two-thirds supermajority is required for approval. A $1.9 million town hall/library proposal came up eight votes short in 2002, and a revised plan failed in 2005 by a handful of votes. Selectman Roger Manzolini, a strong advocate of the project,
Voters approve all but one article at West Stockbridge annual town meeting berkshireeagle.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from berkshireeagle.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
The state of disrepair of the former Housatonic School is one major issue that newly elected Great Barrington officials will have to grapple with. EAGLE FILE PHOTO
GREAT BARRINGTON â The only contested seats during town elections next week are those on the Select Board, and a newcomer with extensive banking and investment experience is the lone candidate on the ballot for Finance Committee.
Town elections will take place from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the fire station and the Housatonic Community Center.
Select Board incumbent Kate Burke, and newcomers Eric Gabriel and Garfield Reed, answered questions about hot and controversial topics at Tuesdayâs candidates forum, via Zoom. Burke is running to hold her three-year seat for a second term, and another seat is vacant, since Bill Cooke is not running for reelection.