SOUTHWICK – The Board of Selectmen met with Town Accountant Carol DellaGiustina during a scheduled public hearing on the tax classification Thursday night.
DellaGiustina told the board before it could set the classification, which it is set to do at its next meeting, the board had to decide whether or not to use overlay funds to lower the rate.
DellaGiustina said the board could use about $100,000 to lower the rate – which was set at $16.99 per thousand dollars of valuation.
“We can use overlay from 2015, which would bring it down to $16.89,” DellaGuistina said. “My suggestion is to leave a little in the overlay account for refunds and abatements.”
DellaGiustina said there is typically about $200,000 in the overlay account. If not used to reduce the tax rate, it must remain in the account. DellaGuistina said it can take several years to resolve an abatement and the funds need to be available.
Board Chairman Russell Fox suggested a compromise.
“Why don’t we split the difference at $50,000?” Fox said.
DellaGuistina said that would lower the rate to approximately $16.94.
The board unanimously approved the measure, made into a motion by Selectwoman Tracy Cesan, and will decide whether to have a single or split rate at its next meeting. Historically the town has had a single rate due to the small number of commercial business in Southwick.
