Select Board rejects all tax exemptions, sets FY27 rate at $15.16

Select Board · Meeting of August 24, 2026

Williamstown Select Board rejects every tax exemption, setting a single FY27 rate of $15.16 per $1,000. The board voted 5-0 four separate times, by roll call, denying the open space discount, residential exemption and small commercial exemption before maintaining a residential factor of 1. The median single-family home, valued at $468,400, will see a town tax bill of $7,101, up $661 from last year, or $7,752 once the fire district and Community Preservation Act charges are included.

Presenter Chris told the board the fiscal 2027 levy reached $24,075,031, up $2,193,165, with new growth of $18,169,300 generating $258,004 in new tax dollars. Town Manager Bob said "the bill comes due" after schools drew down reserves the past two years to hold bills artificially low. The board separately voted 5-0 to reappoint Paula McKenna to the Housing Authority and adopted Chair Peter Beck's revived town manager evaluation process, also 5-0.

In the full story:

• Who Was There
• Organizations And Documents Referenced
• The complete report — 2,736 words

Source: the Select Board meeting of August 24, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.