I will vote for the best possible outcome for the Westfield homeowner at the City Council tax shift meeting on Thursday. I remain totally opposed to the shift of the real estate tax burden onto the homeowner from the commercial-industrial sector.
Presently tax rates are 18.18 for residential properties and 33.84 for commercial-industrial properties.
Since public speaking is the greatest fear of most people, I don’t expect to see many homeowners at the meeting. In addition, homeowners have very busy lives: full-time jobs, children’s activities, caring for relatives, etc.
The taxpayers voted me into office on my billboard promise to stop voting for a slow, steady shift of real estate taxes onto the homeowner–as happened from Fiscal Year 2010 through Fiscal Year 2013.
During that four year period the AVERAGE homeowner saw his/her real estate tax bill increase 19.4 prcent while WALMART’S bill increased 12.6 percent. Those votes were taken by previous Councils. Our present Council has many new members and this is our first vote as a group on this vitally important issue.
Five years ago I proposed establishing a third taxation classification for small business owners, those with real estate worth less than $1,000,000, suggesting that they pay a residential rate. Large apartment complexes and golf courses(playing area) are taxed at the residential rate. The small business owner would immediately obtain relief. We would need help from our Senator and Representative on such a proposal.
We have had a split tax rate since 1983. Because of our proximity to the Turnpike, I-91, rail service, a municipal airport, conveniently located industrial-commercial land (featured in The Boston Globe), as well as our hard-working population and low crime rate, businesses have been steadily flowing into our city during the past 31 years —totally undeterred by a split tax rate.
Giving a further percentage tax break by means of the tax shift factor to multi-billion dollar international companies like General Dynamics, the oil companies, Bank of America, Santander Bank, Home Depot and the owners of the East Main Street shopping plaza area, at the expense of the Westfield homeowner, is something that I will never support.
Cindy Harris
Councilor at Large
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this column are those of the author and not the staff, editor, or publisher of this publication.
