Massachusetts homeowners face $713 tax increase as town officials reject proposed change

Homeowners in Southborough, Massachusetts, are facing a larger property tax increase than town officials projected before the Annual Town Meeting, adding to residents' household costs.

Here's what to know

Assessor Paul Cibelli calculated a $14.44 property tax rate to fund the town's levy after the Select Board voted to keep a single rate for homes and businesses. The 4-1 vote came at the Nov. 4 tax classification hearing, according to My Southborough.

Before the Annual Town Meeting, officials had forecast a 4.6% increase in the average single-family home's tax bill. The assessor now estimates that increase at 5.01%.

The Community Preservation Act surcharge is not included in the increase, which will be divided among four quarterly bills. For an average single-family home, the annual fee is estimated at $713.

More background

Based on property values as of January, the average single-family home's appraisal for fiscal year 2026 rose by $36,800 from the previous year to $1,027,800.

The town's Advisory Committee did not expect a substantial shift in the balance between residential assessments and those for commercial, industrial, and personal property when it prepared its April report for Town Meeting.

Industrial and personal property assessments did not keep pace with residential assessments, offsetting the effect of commercial assessments growing faster than residential ones.

Cibelli also linked the growing tax burden on homeowners to a slowdown in new growth.

What's being done?

Select Board member Tim Fling wanted the town to move away from a single rate by setting slightly different rates for residential and business properties.

Fling had unsuccessfully sought separate rates. His proposal aimed to establish a precedent that would make future adjustments easier.

Cibelli opposed the proposal because, in his view, businesses would have to bear a much higher tax burden to deliver meaningful savings to residents.

Select Board chair Kathy Cook cited restaurants' struggles to stay in business in supporting Cibelli's position. Fling did not win the backing of the other members, so the town retained a single rate.

The updated annual increase for the average single-family homeowner is $59 above the Advisory Committee's April estimate revealed at the Annual Town Meeting.

Where can I learn more?

Other Massachusetts communities face similar questions about rising property taxes and who should pay more. 

• In Adams, homeowners are set to pay about $130 more in property taxes.

• Cambridge proposed another 21% commercial tax increase, alongside a 4% increase for homes.

• In Wayland, a $56.7 million project plan would require voters to approve higher taxes.

• Springfield opened a $1 million property-tax relief fund for seniors and disabled homeowners.

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