By John Swinconeck, Contributing Writer
Westborough – Westborough residents can expect an increase in their property taxes. The estimated tax bill for a single family home in the town's 2015 fiscal year [FY] will be $8,392, a $261 increase from the previous year.
Town Manager Jim Malloy presented a proposal for a FY 2015 budget and capital improvement plan during the Board of Selectmen's meeting Jan. 14.
The estimated tax rate will be a little more than 19 percent.
School budgets account for about 75 percent of the projected tax bill, while the town's portion makes up the difference. That's consistent with at least the previous two fiscal years, according to Malloy.
According to Malloy, Westborough has already dropped in its ranking of the 35th highest average tax bill in the state for FY2013 to 32nd.
“It's moving in the right direction,” Malloy said.
The budget maintains a tax rate at 2 percent above the current tax levy?that is the amount of revenue Westborough can raise through real estate or property taxes.
Westborough has seen a decrease in about $38,000 in local receipts, and a decrease of $47,000 in school building reimbursement funds from the state, according to Malloy. However, the town can expect a 3 percent increase in Chapter 70 state funding for education, and a 1.5 percent increase in all other state aid.
Town expenditures total $94.4 million. Of that, about $64 million will be raised through taxes, with the remainder raised through other revenues.
Ultimately, the budget rests in the hands of Town Meeting, which will convene on March 15.
Here are some highlights from the proposed budget, as presented by Malloy:
Increases
- Total general fund expenditures are to expected to increase about $73,000, or .1 percent, between the 2014 and 2015 fiscal years.
- The town is budgeting a 2 percent wage increase for staff, though not for firefighters.
- The school department is looking at a $1 million budget increase.
- Police and public works departments will see increases of more than $68,000 and $53,000, respectively.
Decreases
Town health insurance costs have been reduced by $350,000.
- Meanwhile, the town has seen a 37 percent reduction in the amount of money it pays for debt services since the 2012 fiscal year, reduction Malloy characterized as significant.
Capital Improvements
Malloy announced that the town is seeking $909,000 in capital improvements.
Among items that to be repaired or replaced is the fire department's Newton Hill radio tower at a cost of $307,000. The current tower is located on private property and is difficult to access, according to Malloy.
The town is also seeking funds to replace aging public works trucks and police cruisers, as well as $55,000 to offset the future purchase of firefighting apparatus.
Schools will also need a total of $75,000 for ceiling tile and hot water heater replacements.
