Showing posts with label property tax. Show all posts
Showing posts with label property tax. Show all posts

Monday, November 29, 2021

Franklin, MA: FY 2022 Tax Rate Information (Franklin Matters view)

The Town Administration and Board of Assessors prepared the following to present the FY 2022 tax rate info for the public hearing at the Town Council meeting on Wednesday, Dec 1, 2021. 

My version shares the information with some chart views that I think help tell the story better (my 2 cents). 

The official data and presentation copy -  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/6._tax_classification.pdf

My view ->   https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/13BJB50G7qg3nU2_cS74HGxAFkgJMwJ8Syi_znlkcgSc/edit?usp=sharing

tax rate chart vs. net change in property valuations 1988-2022
tax rate chart vs. net change in property valuations 1988-2022



Wednesday, November 24, 2021

Talk Franklin - Thanksgiving and that extra piece of pie (audio)

FM #665 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 665 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares my "Talk Franklin" conversation with Town Administrator Jamie Hellen and Marketing Communication Specialist Lily Rivera. We had our conversation in person in Jamie’s office in the Franklin Municipal Building.


We talk about: 

  • Thanksgiving, time for recap, time for thanks

  • Council recap

  • Council look ahead – tax rate hearing


Links to the key references are included in the show notes. The recording runs about 37 minutes, so let’s listen to my conversation with Jamie and Lily.

*** Audio file -> https://player.captivate.fm/episode/68a3f469-8ed6-4806-a87d-8b4f679698b8


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Town Council Agenda 11/17/21 document ->  

https://franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/town_council_meeting_agenda_nov_17_2021.pdf

 

My notes from the meeting 11/17/21 -> 

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/11/recap-town-council-hears-about-waiting.html

Agenda for the Dec 1, 2021 Town Council meeting is not yet available. It will be shared as soon as it is.


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We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial.  


This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.

 

How can you help?

  • If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors

  • If you don't like something here, please let me know


Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.


For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/ or www.franklin.news/


If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com


The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana"  c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.


I hope you enjoy!

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You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"


Talk Franklin - Thanksgiving and that extra piece of pie (audio)
Talk Franklin - Thanksgiving and that extra piece of pie (audio)


Saturday, October 2, 2021

FY 2022 second quarter Real Estate and Personal Property tax bill payment due by November 1, 2021

FY 2022 second quarter Real Estate and Personal Property tax bill payment due by November 1, 2021

Payments received after the due date are charged 14% interest.

Treasurer Collector Kerri A. Bertone has mailed the Fiscal 2022 second quarter Real Estate and Personal Property tax bills.  Payment is due by November 1, 2021.  Payments received after the due date are charged 14% interest.


FY 2022 second quarter Real Estate and Personal Property tax bill
FY 2022 second quarter Real Estate and Personal Property tax bill


Saturday, July 10, 2021

Attention Franklin Senior Homeowners

You may be entitled to a reduction in the real estate tax you’re required to pay this year!

You may be entitled to a $1,000 tax reduction if you have been continuously domiciled in Massachusetts for 10 years and have owned and occupied a Massachusetts property for 5 years; 

-AND-
You are single,
Age 70 or older on July 1, 2021,
Your income last year was $21,393 or less, and
Your assets (checking, savings, bonds, etc.) not including your home were
$35, 499 or less.

-OR-
You are married,
One of you was age 70 or older on July 1, 2021,
Your income last year was $26,385 or less, and
Your assets (checking, savings, bonds, etc.) not including your home were
$38, 034 or less.

If you are over an above limit, you may still be entitled to a $345 tax reduction if you have owned and occupied your Franklin property as your domicile for at least 5 years,

-AND-
Your assets (checking, savings, bonds, etc.) not including your home were
$50,712 or less,
-AND-
You are a surviving spouse; or single 70 or older July 1, 2021,
-OR- 
You are married and one was age 70 or older as of July 1, 2021.

If you think you might qualify and need information or assistance in completing the application, call the Franklin Senior Center; 508 520-4945.

Some widows of veterans may be eligible for a tax exemption.

Please contact:
Veterans’ Services Office at (508) 613-1315

Download a copy of this info

Attention Franklin Senior Homeowners
Attention Franklin Senior Homeowners


Thursday, July 8, 2021

Fiscal Year 2022 First Quarter Real Estate and Personal Property Tax Bills

Treasurer Collector, Kerri Bertone has mailed the Fiscal 2022 first quarter real estate and personal property tax bills.  
Payments are due by August 2, 2021.  
Payments received after the due date are charged 14% interest.
Shared from the Town of Franklin page

Fiscal Year 2022 First Quarter Real Estate and Personal Property Tax Bills
Fiscal Year 2022 First Quarter Real Estate and Personal Property Tax Bills




Sunday, July 4, 2021

Franklin Annual Report - 2020: Board of Assessors

ANNUAL REPORT OF THE BOARD OF ASSESSORS

Interim Revaluation
The interim revaluation of all real and personal property in the Town of Franklin was completed Fall 2019 in preparation for Actual Fiscal Year 2020 3rd quarter tax bills. Following is a brief review of that achievement.

Data Collection
Eighteen years have now passed since we installed the real estate valuation and assessment administration software developed by Patriot Properties, Inc. Because our start-up data was from a different form of valuation system and most of our data had not been refreshed in nearly ten years, it was necessary to complete a town- wide data recollection program prior to finalizing the FY 2005 valuations. Patriot Properties was hired for this task. Over the past 15 years, our appraisal staff has performed the on-going property exterior measuring and interior inspecting for all real estate classes. Such reviews are done for the Department of Revenue (DOR) required cyclical program, as well as for building permitted changes, pre-appraisal, abatement and sales verifications.

Field Review
In addition to individual property on-site review, field reviews are required periodically to check for obvious data accuracy and consistency. This drive-by review provides another level of assurance that when valuation schedules are applied, the results will be “Fair and Equitable”.

Commercial/Industrial/Apartment Valuations 
Annually there are analyses of sales data as well as income & expense market data. The Board contracted Patriot to work with our Director to establish an income approach to value for each property. All requirements of the Massachusetts Department of Revenue were met through final approval of the FY 2020 valuations.

Sales Analysis
The majority of the sales analysis was completed by September 2019, and the interpretation of sales continued through the next two stages of valuation. The town-wide program resulted in a valuation system that was applied uniformly throughout the town, while reflecting all the adjustments warranted individually and by neighborhood, to result in “Full and Fair Cash Values” as per Massachusetts General Law.

Value Generation
A system of valuation was established based on valid property sales and where applicable the income approach to value. These schedules
concluded from the market were then uniformly applied to all taxable and exempt real property.
 
Final Value Review
Final reviews were completed in preparation for the DOR review. These include studies of various computer- generated reports to check for value consistency, final field checks required, and for DOR documentation and its analyses.

DOR Review & Final Approval
Any on-site and statistical reviews by the DOR took place from April to September 2019. The appraisal staff provided files, generated property records, answered questions and addressed any concerns. At the conclusion of the DOR review, we were granted approval authorizing public disclosure.

Public Disclosure
The DOR approved valuations were available for disclosure to the property owners. While the administrative staff provided property record cards and general data reviews, the appraisers conducted informal hearings on valuations.

Personal Property
Business assets and those of utilities are reviewed for valuation as taxable Personal Property. For nineteen fiscal years we have engaged the specialized services of Real Estate Research Consultants (RRC) in the discovery and valuation of these accounts. These services have served us well, resulting in DOR approval and consistently defendable valuations. Also, considerable new growth has been certified annually. Additionally, the RRC Personal Property Software installed in our office has benefited us. The personal property valuation formulas are very straightforward, and the administrative capabilities have met our needs.

Classification Hearing & Tax Commitment
Following some discussion and a few presentations relative to single versus split tax rates, the Council approved a single tax rate at $14.51 per $1,000 of taxable value as calculated by the Board for all property classes. The tax commitment and mailing were timely for an actual 3rd quarter tax bill.

Abatement Reviews
Upon mailing of the tax bills and on or before the due date of the first actual bill, property owners have an opportunity to file an Abatement Application on the basis of overvaluation or misclassification. 60 abatements applications were filed of 11,681 taxable accounts, or just over 1/2 of 1%. Generally those with merit were resolved through our conducting a complete on-site exterior measuring and interior inspection. Usually a valuation discrepancy is the result of a data error or as a result of an inspection appointment not being arranged and thus the property data having been “estimated”.

Continue reading about the Board of Assessors

Prior Annual Reports can be found online

Franklin Annual Report - 2020: Board of Assessors
Franklin Annual Report - 2020: Board of Assessors 

Thursday, July 1, 2021

The Town of Franklin is now offering eBill and no fee for ACH!

Now Offering eBill & No Fee for ACH

Just a reminder that we offer our residents the convenience of online payments through UniPay. Take advantage of some great features including scheduling payments, saving payment information, viewing payment history and setting payment reminders.  Best of all, you can now receive your bill, completely paperless!

To pay your taxes, have your bill and checkbook or credit card in hand, and then…

  1. Go to: https://www.franklinma.gov/
  2. Click on: "Payments and Permits"
  3. Select the bill you would like to pay.
  4. Complete each screen to process your payment.

For the residents' convenience, the Town is waiving the ACH fee when paying by electronic check

UniBank, our banking partner, will charge a nominal processing fee for credit card payments.  A fee schedule is located on the welcome page for your convenience. 

Shared from ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/home/news/town-franklin-now-offering-ebill-and-no-fee-ach


The Town of Franklin is now offering eBill and no fee for ACH
The Town of Franklin is now offering eBill and no fee for ACH

Monday, June 7, 2021

Important Notice to Franklin Taxpayers - Community Preservation Act surcharge

On your Real Estate Tax Bill this quarter you may notice a Community Preservation Act surcharge

  • Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Community Preservation Act?
The Community Preservation Act (CPA) is a smart growth tool that helps communities preserve open space and historic sites, create affordable housing and develop outdoor recreational facilities. Monies generated by this surcharge go into a dedicated fund and can only be used for these stated purposes. Franklin residents voted to approve a 2% CPA tax surcharge in November of 2020, effective for July 1, 2021 (Fiscal Year 2022).

How often will I see this charge?
The 2% CPA surcharge will be added to all four quarters of your Real Estate Tax Bills.

Will the amount change when the Actual Real Estate Tax Bills are issued in January?
Yes, but the amount you see is an estimate based on the prior year’s tax assessment. 

Who Decides How the Money Is Spent?
By state statute, the Franklin Town Council recently created a Community Preservation Committee (CPC). These dedicated resident-volunteers hold meetings and consider projects brought before them by the Community. They not only consider whether these projects qualify for CPA funding under the law but how proposals will benefit the community’s unique circumstances. If approved, projects are brought before the Town Council for appropriation.

For more information regarding Community Preservation, please visit www.franklinma.gov/community-preservation-committee 

Shared from the Town of Franklin Newsletter for June 2021

Notes from the Community Preservation Committee meetings
(Next meeting is scheduled for June 15, 2021)

Important Notice to Franklin Taxpayers - Community Preservation Act surcharge
Important Notice to Franklin Taxpayers - Community Preservation Act surcharge


Wednesday, March 31, 2021

Fiscal Year 2021 4th Quarter Real Estate & Personal Property Tax Bills have been mailed

Fiscal Year 2021 4th Quarter Real Estate & Personal Property Tax Bills have been mailed

Treasurer Collector, Kerri A. Bertone has mailed the Fiscal Year 2021 4th Quarter Real Estate and Personal Property tax bills. 

The due date for these bills is May 3, 2021


Shared from: https://www.franklinma.gov/treasurer-collector/news/fiscal-year-2021-4th-quarter-real-estate-personal-property-tax-bills-have


Fiscal Year 2021 4th Quarter Real Estate & Personal Property Tax Bills have been mailed
Fiscal Year 2021 4th Quarter Real Estate & Personal Property Tax Bills have been mailed

Friday, January 1, 2021

Franklin Tax Payers: A Notice from the Treasurer/Collector's Office

A Notice from the Treasurer/Collector's Office

Dear Taxpayer,

Recently you received a 3rd quarter actual real estate tax bill that incorrectly calculated one day of interest on the amount due. 

If you pay your taxes through your mortgage company you do not need to take any action.

If you have already paid your bill, that interest will be reflected as a credit on your 4th quarter actual real estate tax bill in May.

If you have not paid yet, please discard that bill. A corrected 3rd quarter tax bill is currently being mailed to and will arrive by next week.  

To accommodate for this inconvenience we have extended the due date to February 19, 2021 without any interest or penalties.

The online payment portal has the correct amount due.  All taxpayers and citizens can pay the correct amount online. 

We apologize for any inconvenience.

These bills can be paid in a variety of ways: 

Shared from the Town of Franklin page  https://www.franklinma.gov/home/news/notice-treasurercollectors-office-0

Franklin Tax Payers: A Notice from the Treasurer/Collector's Office
Franklin Tax Payers: A Notice from the Treasurer/Collector's Office


Wednesday, December 30, 2020

Fiscal Year 2021 3rd Quarter Real Estate & Personal Property Tax Bills have been mailed

Fiscal Year 2021 3rd Quarter Real Estate & 
Personal Property Tax Bills have been mailed

Treasurer Collector, Kerri A. Bertone has mailed the Fiscal Year 2021 3rd Quarter Real Estate and Personal Property tax bills. 

The due date for these bills is February 1, 2021


Fiscal Year 2021 3rd Quarter Real Estate & Personal Property Tax Bills have been mailed
Fiscal Year 2021 3rd Quarter Real Estate & Personal Property Tax Bills have been mailed



Thursday, December 17, 2020

MMA: "New video highlights link between taxes and essential services"

From the Massachusetts Municipal Association (MMA)

"The leaders of Lawrence and Arlington share their views on the property tax and local services in a new video from the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy that highlights the connection between taxes and the ability of communities to control their own destinies.

Lawrence Mayor Daniel Rivera and Arlington Town Manager Adam Chapdelaine are interviewed in the nine-minute video, “Property Tax 101: Why the Property Tax,” which explains the importance of the property tax and the value of local government.

“I think about local government as the most important form of government,” Rivera says in the video. “It’s the closest to people. Let me tell you something: if one mayor falls down on the job, if one city council falls down on the job, you feel it immediately. And so local government and the way we fund local government is very, very important.”
Continue reading the article online
 
 
Visit the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy online  https://www.lincolninst.edu/

Direct link to video "Property Tax 101: Why the Property Tax" on YouTube => https://youtu.be/yElQHQjjIxM


Tuesday, November 17, 2020

Legal Notice: Franklin Tax Hearing - Dec 2

Legal Notice
Franklin Tax Hearing
Notice Of Public Hearing
Property Tax Classification


The Franklin Town Council will hold a Public Hearing in the Council Chambers in the Municipal Office Building, 355 East Central Street, Franklin, MA on Wednesday evening, December 2, 2020 at 7:10 P.M. on the issue of allocating the local property tax levy among the 5 property classes for the Fiscal Year 2021. The hearing will provide an open forum for the discussion of local property tax policy. Interested taxpayers may present oral or written information on their views.

Prior to the setting of the tax rate, the Town Council must adopt a Residential Factor following which the Council selects the percentage of the levy to be borne by Commercial and Industrial and Personal Property.

This meeting will be done remotely via the “ZOOM” platform. Residents can visit the Town Website (Franklinma.gov) and click on the Town Calendar for up to date information on how to access the meeting. If you have any questions, please call the Town Administrator’s Office at (508) 520-4949.

 

Submitted by,

Alecia Alleyne
Licensing Administrator

 

Legal Notice: Franklin Tax Hearing - Dec 2
Legal Notice: Franklin Tax Hearing - Dec 2

Thursday, April 2, 2020

Fiscal Year 2020 4th Quarter Real Estate & Personal Property Tax Bills Have Been Mailed

"Treasurer Collector, Kerri A. Bertone has mailed the Fiscal Year 2020 4th Quarter Real Estate and Personal Property tax bills"

Shared from the Town of Franklin page
https://www.franklinma.gov/treasurer-collector/news/fiscal-year-2020-4th-quarter-real-estate-personal-property-tax-bills-have

Fiscal Year 2020 4th Quarter Real Estate & Personal Property Tax Bills Have Been Mailed
Fiscal Year 2020 4th Quarter Real Estate & Personal Property Tax Bills Have Been Mailed

Thursday, January 30, 2020

Saturday, October 5, 2019

Town of Franklin: Fiscal Year 2020 2nd Quarter Real Estate and Personal Property Tax Bills

Fiscal Year 2020 2nd Quarter Real Estate 
and Personal Property Tax Bills

Fiscal Year 2020 2nd Quarter Real Estate and Personal Property Tax Bills are due November 1, 2019

You can pay online at https://www.franklinma.gov/home/pages/online-payments-and-applications

Reminders:
Payments received after the due date are charged 14% interest.

If you are mailing in your payment, please be sure to include the remittance copy with your check.

If you choose to use your Online Banking to pay your bills, please remember to reference the bill number(s) you are paying.


Town of Franklin: Fiscal Year 2020 2nd Quarter Real Estate and Personal Property Tax Bills
Town of Franklin: Fiscal Year 2020 2nd Quarter Real Estate and Personal Property Tax Bills

Sunday, August 25, 2019

In the News: Hopedale votes on an override Weds; DOR has Prop 2 1/2 video series

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:
"Renee Polechronis walked away from her desk in the Assessor’s Office Friday morning with some paperwork.

When she returned moments later, fresh forms had been dropped off. Soon afterward, the phone rang. Before any of that, she had answered a resident’s question on senior citizen tax exemptions.

“I’m usually pretty busy on Fridays,” Polechronis, the office administrative clerk, said with a smile.

If Hopedale voters fail to pass the $430,000 tax override on Wednesday’s election ballot, residents might not have access to Polechronis’ cheerful attitude on Fridays.

Officials are asking for the money to bolster Hopedale’s operating budget, and have categorized the $430,000 as the amount needed just to keep basic services running. They aren’t yet sure where they’ll cut if voters don’t approve the override, but closing Town Hall the final day of the work week has made the list of possible partial solutions.
...
Residents overwhelmingly approved the override at Town Meeting this spring, but a majority vote in the townwide election is also required before the tax can be levied."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20190824/final-vote-on-hopedale-tax-override-is-wednesday

The MA Dept of Revenue has a video series on Proposition 2 1/2 explaining overrides, debt exclusions, and other accurate info on this matter

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfBnwDVE7DgFBJePuMrBUMjVLGv8xp34S







Saturday, July 27, 2019

Fiscal Year 2020 1st Quarter Real Estate and Personal Property Tax Bills are due August 1, 2019

Fiscal Year 2020 1st Quarter Real Estate and Personal Property Tax Bills are due August 1, 2019

Fiscal Year 2020 1st Quarter Real Estate and Personal Property Tax Bills are due August 1, 2019
Reminders:
  • You can pay online here
https://www.franklinma.gov/home/pages/online-payments-and-applications
  • If you are mailing in your payment, please be sure to include the remittance copy with your check.
  • If you choose to use your Online Banking to pay your bills, please remember to reference the bill number(s) you are paying.
Thank you!

This is an automatic message from Town of Franklin MA and shared from
https://www.franklinma.gov/treasurer-collector/news/fiscal-year-2020%C2%A01st-quarter-real-estate-and-personal-property-tax-bills

Fiscal Year 2020 1st Quarter Real Estate and Personal Property Tax Bills are due August 1, 2019
Fiscal Year 2020 1st Quarter Real Estate and Personal Property Tax Bills are due August 1, 2019
 

Tuesday, July 2, 2019

Town of Franklin: Fiscal 2020 first quarter Real Estate and Personal Property

Fiscal 2020 first quarter Real Estate and Personal Property

Treasurer Collector Kerri A. Bertone has mailed the Fiscal 2020 first quarter Real Estate and Personal Property tax bills. Payment is due by 8-1-19. Payments received after that date will be charged 14% interest.

Town of Franklin: Fiscal 2020 first quarter Real Estate and Personal Property
Town of Franklin: Fiscal 2020 first quarter Real Estate and Personal Property