Table of Contents
🗳️ Key Decisions & Votes
✅ FY 2026 Property Tax Rate Set
— The Board of Assessors and Select Board held a joint public hearing to review the Town’s FY 2026 tax classification. The Board voted to adopt a single tax rate, meaning residential and commercial properties will be taxed at the same rate (4-0 vote).
✅ Landfill Project Management Approved
— EA Engineering, Science & Technology Inc. was awarded a $48,365 contract for Sturbridge Landfill project management.
✅ Open Space Discount – No Vote Taken
— The Board discussed but did not adopt an open-space discount; open-space parcels are already taxed at the residential rate per Department of Revenue guidelines.
✅ Residential Exemption Not Adopted
— Board voted not to adopt a residential exemption (4-0), which would have shifted some tax burden within the residential class.
✅ Small Commercial Exemption Not Adopted
— Board voted not to adopt a small commercial exemption (4-0), maintaining the current assessment approach for business properties.
💬 Major Discussion: FY 2026 Tax Rate Classification
Overview
Principal Assessor Ann Murphy and the Board of Assessors (Paul Murphy and Moira McGrath) presented the annual Classification Hearing for FY 2026. The presentation outlined valuation data for each property class and options for tax rate distribution.
Highlights
The Board adopted a single tax rate to keep Sturbridge competitive for businesses and avoid placing an unequal burden on residents, who represent ≈ 85 % of the tax base.
Discussion clarified that the classification hearing is an annual requirement held after the state Department of Revenue closes the previous fiscal year’s accounts.
Open Space and Residential Exemption options were reviewed but deemed inapplicable or unnecessary under current conditions.
Public Input
Finance Committee member Mary Carolyn Porter asked whether tax-rate decisions are ever brought to Town Meeting. Chair Jamie Goodwin clarified that the Select Board determines the rate annually as a policy decision following state guidance. The hearing is public to allow resident input before the vote.
Outcome
➡️ The Board approved a single tax rate for FY 2026 (4-0 vote).
🏗️ Community Impact
💰 Stable Tax Structure for FY 2026
Residents and businesses will continue to pay the same rate, maintaining predictability and competitiveness for local commerce.
🌎 Landfill Management Improvements
The EA Engineering contract ensures ongoing oversight and compliance for the Town landfill site.
🏡 Public Transparency
The annual classification hearing reaffirmed the Town’s commitment to open discussion on tax policy and valuation.
🏛️ About the Assessor’s Office
The Sturbridge Assessor’s Office is responsible for determining the fair market value of all real and personal property within the town each year.
This ensures that every property owner pays their proportionate share of the local tax burden in accordance with state law.
Key functions include:
Maintaining property records and parcel maps
Reviewing abatements and exemptions
Managing the annual tax classification process (like the FY 2026 hearing summarized above)
Submitting data to the Massachusetts Department of Revenue for certification
👉 Learn more: sturbridge.gov/assessors
🔍 Quick Recap
✅ FY 2026 single tax rate adopted.
✅ $48,365 landfill management contract approved.
✅ No open space, residential, or commercial exemptions adopted.
✅ Citizen questions addressed regarding how tax policy is determined.
🗓️ Upcoming Meetings & Follow-Ups
Subject | Date & Time | Location | Add to Calendar |
|---|---|---|---|
Select Board – Regional Dispatch Cost Analysis Review | Sept 15 2025 · 6:30 PM | Veterans Memorial Hall |
🗂️ Resources
✍️ Written by The Town Minute — making town government easier to follow, one meeting at a time.
Disclaimer
The Town Minute is an independent publication not affiliated with the Town of Sturbridge or any municipal office. While we strive for accuracy, errors or omissions may occur. For official and complete records, please refer to the Town’s approved meeting minutes or watch the official meeting recordings on the Town’s website.
