Ashland grapples with idea of raising taxes

Ashland has never passed an override of Proposition 2 1/2, but, after substantial cuts were made to town services last year, the chances are increasing that a property tax increase will be approved.

An overflow crowd of about 50 residents attended a selectmen's meeting last week at Town Hall to voice their opinions on a possible override of the tax-limiting law.

About two dozen spoke , with some offering impassioned pleas for restoring services by raising property taxes and others cautioning against overburdening residents with high tax bills.

Some people suggested shifting more of the tax burden onto businesses in town, which provide a relatively low 7 percent of the town's tax revenues.

But David Teller , owner of Ryan Insurance and the new president of the Ashland Business Association , viewed the idea with alarm.

Shifting the burden could cost businesses "hundreds and thousands," said Teller, who suggested that such a move could drive out established businesses and discourage new ones from locating in town.

While Teller said he wasn't sure how he'd vote if an override question were placed on the ballot for town elections in May, he did say that an override should be considered.

"It's at the point now where it's affecting level of service," he said. "The question has to be asked."

Sarah Johnson , a mother of three, suggested that if services continue to be cut, residents might pick up and leave for other communities.

"I want things to be better," said Johnson, adding that while she empathized with those who can't afford to pay more taxes, the future of the community is at stake. "The reality of it is, as you whittle away your services, you whittle away your educated community. That's really the bare bones of it."

Arthur Shapiro , a Board of Health member who is running for selectman, supports putting an override on the ballot, while acknowledging that some residents are on fixed income and can ill afford to pay higher tax bills.

"There's an assumption of wealth in property," he said, "but I could be living next door to you, we could have the same house, same valuation, you could be on a fixed income, I could be on a $3 billion pension, yet we pay the same property tax. That's probably not really fair."

No decision has been made about placing an override on the ballot, but Paul Monaco, chairman of the Board of Selectmen, said that it seemed likely one would be, given the pain caused by the last year's cuts.

"It was close to 20 bodies across the community. Police, fire took a hit, elder services, library, schools, everyone took some big hits last year," he said.

Under the state's Proposition 2 1/2 tax-limiting law, communities may raise the total amount of property tax they collect by 2.5 percent a year, with allowances for new growth. In order to raise taxes higher, voters must approve an "override" of the law.

Another public forum on a possible override will be held Wednesday at 1 p.m. in the community center on West Union Street.