A residential exemption would cut most property tax bills in town which includes the charge from the school district. Homeowners with homes assessed below around $470,000 would see a progressively lower tax rate, and three-quarters of residences in town fall below that “break-even value.
Affordability is the challenge. In relation to income, property taxes in Great Barrington are also higher than elsewhere in Berkshire County. Incomes in Great Barrington appear to be in the mid-range among its Berkshire County peers and neighbors, about equal to the state average and above the Berkshire County average.
“People are hurting and we need to do something about it, to make our principal source of revenue progressive."
-- Michael Wise, member of the Great Barrington Finance Committee
