During the last Board of Selectmen meeting, Town Manager Jim Duggan brought in Chief Assessor Kathy Roark to discuss what her department does, how they levy taxes, and how they get adjusted each year.

Duggan then mentioned that people in town have been confused by the concept of splitting the tax rate between residential and commercial properties. He asked Roark to explain the issue.

Here she explains it, and the fact that because our residential tax base is so high (93% of properties are residential), it would take a significant increase on commercial taxes to make any kind of dent in residential taxes.

Unsaid here is the fact that such an increase in commercial taxes would end up driving small businesses out of town.