LETTER: What About A Split Tax Rate?

To the Editor:

An Alternative to Special Elections to override Proposition 2 ½ real estate taxes...

Franklin Town officials repeatedly rely on special elections to override Proposition 2 ½ limits to raising real estate taxes. This need not be the case. The overrides are a result of ineffective management of Franklin’s financial resources. A proven alternative to repeated overrides is with Split Property Tax Rates. Setting one rate for residential property owners and another for business and industrial properties could stop the neighbor vs neighbor mentality which results when town management resorts to special elections to cover repeated budgetary shortfalls.

Of the 351 cities and towns in Massachusetts 117 have appropriately set different property tax rates for residential, industrial and commercial properties. In Norfolk County, 5 cities and towns have set Split Property Tax Rates.

A split tax rate would be advantageous to young, growing families, where in many cases both parents are working, as well as our seniors who want to stay in their homes and are relying on their social security, pensions and/or 401K accounts. I live in a 55+ community in Franklin and pay $7,000 a year in property taxes plus a town water bill. Since my community is a condominium, I also pay ever-rising monthly association dues to cover snow removal, trash removal, and hydrant maintenance. And when the roads need resurfacing, or a water main or hydrant needs repair, I will pay for that too.

Now consider large, well-financed corporations coming to Franklin to build warehouses, commercial and industrial businesses, offices, high density apartments, etc. This type of development puts an enormous strain on existing utilities including water, sewer, storm drainage, electricity, etc. This also results in an increased need for fire, police, EMT, public works and other public services. Why are large corporations coming to Franklin? Because without Split Tax Rates it’s extremely profitable for them to build here. Why are residents forced to share increased tax rates equally with new developments which created the need for increased public services in the first place? Without split tax rates, the developers will never pay their fair share. The continued degradation of the quality of life in Franklin is at stake here. What’s been done can’t be reversed, but future development can be controlled, limited or even stopped.

The next Town election is November 4th. Candidates are running for positions on the Town Council, Planning Board, Board of Assessors, Board of Health and School Committee. Imagine a simple, one page form sent to each candidate asking one question:

Are you in favor of implementing Split Tax Rates in Franklin? Circle one.

      YES                NO

Results of the survey (YES, NO or DID NOT REPLY) could be reported in the Franklin Observer and the Franklin Local Town Pages newspaper before the November 4th Election.

Wouldn’t young families, middle age residents and seniors all be relieved? 

Thank you.

Peter Borowiec

Franklin resident