Voters will be asked to consider two separate override amounts:

These rate adjustments are derived using the Massachusetts Department of Revenue's Division of Local Services Tax Impact Calculator methodology applied to official FY2025 data.

• Official FY2025 property assessments from Patriot Properties Assessment database (last pulled Saturday, November 1st, 2025)
• Note: your latest tax bill is the most accurate source for your property assessment. The Patriot Properties data may be out-of-date.
• Accurate comparison between the two override scenarios based on FY2025 valuations
• Transparent methodology with disclosed data sources

• Estimated FY2026 baseline tax increases
  • The town projects a baseline levy increase of $3,435,043 (source - slide 25), which includes:
    • 2.5% statutory increase: $1,505,113
    • Estimated new growth: $700,000
    • Debt exclusion increase: $1,229,930
  • We do not calculate rate or per-household impacts from this baseline increase because doing so would require data not yet available
• FY2026 property revaluations
  • New assessments not yet completed
  • Could increase or decrease your individual assessment
  • Changes in total town valuation affect the tax rate
• Changes to total parcel count
  • New construction affects the tax base
  • Cannot be known until final certification
  • More parcels may mean lower rates: when new homes or developments are added to the tax rolls, the levy burden is shared across more households, which decreases the tax rate for everyone
• Final certified new growth numbers
  • Town estimates $700,000; actual may differ
  • Certified by MA DOR after fiscal year end
  • New growth may reduce rates: additional property value from new construction is added to the tax base, spreading the levy across a larger valuation and lowering the rate per $1,000

We believe it would be irresponsible to speculate about FY2026 baseline tax rate or per-household impacts without knowing:

1. Final property assessments - Revaluation could significantly change your individual assessment and the total town valuation

2. Total parcel count - New construction adds properties to the tax rolls. This spreads the levy burden across more households, which directly lowers the tax rate. The more properties sharing the levy, the less each individual property pays per $1,000 of value.

3. Certified new growth - The town estimates $700,000 in new growth, but the actual certified amount from MA DOR may differ. New growth lowers tax rates by adding property value to the tax base without requiring a proportional increase in the levy. This additional value gets taxed at the existing rate, and the revenue helps fund services while reducing the rate needed for everyone else.

4. Total town valuation - Higher property values across town mean lower tax rates. Under Proposition 2½, the levy is capped, so if the total value of all property in town increases, the rate per $1,000 must decrease to stay within the levy limit. The same levy divided by a higher valuation equals a lower rate.

The town's FY2026 budget presentation projects a baseline levy increase of $3,435,043, consisting of:

• $1,505,113 from the 2.5% statutory increase
• $700,000 from estimated new growth
• $1,229,930 from debt exclusion increases (high school debt service)

However, we cannot responsibly calculate what tax rate or per-household impact this levy increase will produce until we know the final assessed valuations, parcel counts, and certified new growth. These factors will determine how the levy is distributed across the tax base.

Our calculator shows ONLY the override impact to provide the most accurate, transparent estimate possible with currently available data.

Your actual FY2026 tax bill may differ from this calculation because:

1. Baseline FY2026 increases are not included

   • Even with no override, taxes will increase
   • The town projects a baseline levy increase of $3,435,043
   • The actual rate and per-household impact depend on factors not yet known

2. Your individual assessment may change

   • FY2026 revaluation is underway
   • Your home value may increase or decrease relative to the average
   • Market conditions, improvements, and other factors affect assessment

3. Tax rate automatically adjusts based on total town valuation

   • Under Proposition 2½, the levy limit constrains how much can be collected
   • If total property values increase, rates must decrease
   • If new homes are built, the levy spreads across more properties
   • If new commercial development occurs, it adds value without adding residential burden

4. This calculator provides estimates for comparison purposes only based on FY2025 data

   • It allows you to compare the impact of the two override scenarios using FY2025 valuations
   • It does NOT predict your exact FY2026 tax bill
   • For official tax information, contact the Assessor's Office