Government

How to Get Exemptions on Property Taxes or Defer Property Tax Payments

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Property taxes are on the rise, but there are ways for certain groups to cut their tax bills or for seniors to defer payment in an effort to keep them in their homes. Last week, the same night that the Town Council approved the Property Tax rates for Fiscal 2017, which will be rising, they approved programs to match the state’s property tax exemptions and to allow seniors to defer part or all of their property tax bills. Town Treasurer/Collector Joseph DiVito said he has heard from residents struggling to pay for the tax hikes. “After meeting with several constituents, elders, who want to stay in their homes, one of their responses is that they are being taxed out of their homes,” DiVito said. The Council voted to increase the maximum gross receipts residents are allowed to have and still qualify for the tax deferment program, from $40,000 to $57,000 for a single person over 65 years of age living in their own home.

Community Preservation Act

LETTER: The Election is Over, Losers Should Accept Results Nationally and Locally

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To the editor,

On November 8, 2013 the 50 States and District of Columbia held elections for President of the United States. The results are in and at last count as many as 306 electors were won by Donald Trump.For the benefit of those who forgot their High School Civics, Article 2 of the Constitution makes it clear, the Sovereign State Elect the President. The State Legislatures are empowered to select Electors in whatever manner they see fit. There is no requirement that popular vote be held. In fact it was process where States slowly started adopting a popular vote.

Government

OP-ED: Councilor on Why Property Taxes are Rising, How They Seek to Control Them

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It is unquestioned that Watertown is going through an unprecedented level of growth and change. In this type of environment, even within the confines of Proposition 2 ½, many residents struggle to pay increasing property taxes on limited incomes. In recognition of the realities residents all over town are facing, in recognition of the current and future market increases and how such trends affect our commercial and residential classes and with the Community Preservation Act being passed by voters (to be on taxpayer bills in 2018), I offer the following to the residents of Watertown as, hopefully, a form of reassurance regarding FY17 and future tax classifications. From 1998-2016 the average tax bill in Watertown increased just over 4.0% each year. Although 4.0% is the rough average, in 10 of those years the average tax bill only increased between 2.0-4.0%.

Elections

LETTER: Rough and Tumble Campaign Over, Now it’s Time to Work Together

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To the editor,

As one of the most vocal opponents of the CPA during the campaign, I’d like to congratulate the proponents on their victory.  

There is no doubt that this campaign was heated.  Often times, hyperbole came from both sides. That’s what happens in a campaign. For those of us who have been involved in politics for years, it’s not surprise, nor do we find anything out of the ordinary. Politics is a blood sport during a campaign.

Government

Town Council Gives Homeowners a Bit of a Break on Property Taxes

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The Town Council voted to give Watertown residents living in their property a bit of a break on property taxes Tuesday night be increasing the residential tax exemption, but some on the Council wanted to increase it more. 

Since 2002, the Town Council voted to have a 20 percent owner-occupied exemption, but this year – Fiscal Year 2017 – Councilors increased the exemption to 22 percent. With the 22 percent exemption and the tax shift of 175 percent from residential to commercial/industrial and personal (CIP), the tax rate will be $13.90 per $1,000 of assessed value, said Watertown Assessor Francis Golden. See the tax levy presentation here. With those factors, there will be a $192 (3.80 percent) increase on bill of the average valued owner-occupied home, worth $547,540. With the 20 percent exemption, the increase would have been $267 (5.27 percent), on the same property.

Elections

Supporters of CPA Win the Second Time Around, See How Your Precinct Voted

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The second time was the charm for proponents of the Community Preservation Act in Watertown, which won with nearly 60 percent of the vote on Tuesday. 

The ballot question will create a fund for projects in three areas: affordable housing, open space and historic preservation. Jennifer Van Campen, one of the leaders of Invest in Watertown, the group that put the CPA on the ballot, said she was confident going into election. “I actually welt that we were going to win all along,” Van Campen said. The confidence came despite the fact Watertown voters rejected the CPA in 2005. Also, there was also an active “No” campaign from the Concerned Watertown Homeowners, who funding mechanism because it would hurt families and residents struggling to afford living in town.

Charter Schools

Watertown Approves CPA, Clinton Gets Most Votes in Watertown

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Watertown voters adopted Question 5, the much debated Community Preservation Act, on Tuesday, with “Yes” receiving nearly 60 percent of the vote in Tuesday’s Presidential Election, which saw heavy voter turnout. Question 5 received 10,258 Yes votes and 6,896 No votes in the election where 75 percent of Watertown votes cast a ballot. In the presidential election, Democrat Hillary Clinton received the most votes – 12,924 (71 percent) – and Republican Donald Trump got 3,921 (21 percent). Libertarian Gary Johnson received 625 votes (3 percent), Green-Rainbow Party candidate Jill Stein got 320 (2 percent), and there were 405 write-in votes (2 percent). In the state ballot questions, Watertown voted 5,258 for Question 1 (30 percent), the measure asking to add slots at a horse race track, and 12,237 against (70 percent).

Government

List of Watertown Streets to be Repaired in 2017 Announced by DPW

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Several streets made the list for road repairs in 2017 presented by Department of Public Works officials and approved by the Town Council’s Public Works Committee. Each year, the town tackles road repairs on multiple streets around town. Watertown devotes $2.5 million to road and sidewalk repairs annually, but the money does not go just to the worst roads. Some on the list are among the most dire need of repair, others can avoid major problems down the line by doing some minor repairs now, said Rick Benevento, president of WorldTech, the town’s consultant for road projects. The DPW uses a pavement management system developed by WorldTech to come up with the list.