tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post1880142129124087666..comments2023-10-17T22:56:42.784-04:00Comments on Only in The Republic of Amherst: Status Quo Housing AllocationLarry Kelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02614645831526190536noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post-84930676896192194822015-12-31T16:43:49.063-05:002015-12-31T16:43:49.063-05:00Northampton doesn't have this problem. Why? Be...Northampton doesn't have this problem. Why? Because they tax rental properties as a business, at the 18% business rate. In Amherst, they are taxed at the same rate as residents'. As long as landlords are given preferential treatment, everyone pays. Michael Greenbaum, isn't he on Town Meeting? I wonder why?<br /><br />Happy New Year, everyone!Kevinnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post-61438978192263087052015-12-31T16:16:34.135-05:002015-12-31T16:16:34.135-05:00I get that. But my question has more to do with ho...I get that. But my question has more to do with how the total tax revenue gets applied towards the 2.5%, or not. Is it 2.5% plus new growth, or 2.5% period? Is there ever consideration given to trying to lighten the load, when revenue or assessments increase, or just maximizing allowable increases?<br /><br />I think town leaders are in for a rude awakening when override time comes around. And I'm speaking as someone who has always supported them in the past. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post-29913922996726128222015-12-31T15:32:09.062-05:002015-12-31T15:32:09.062-05:00With the residents of Kendrick using the Pray St p...With the residents of Kendrick using the Pray St parking lot 24/7- Is the town benefiting?<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post-11520369205938735142015-12-31T15:15:38.920-05:002015-12-31T15:15:38.920-05:00One big problem is commercial property in Amherst ...One big problem is commercial property in Amherst only makes up 8% of the tax base and over 90% is residential. <br /><br />Larry Kelleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02614645831526190536noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post-60812429479458392132015-12-31T15:07:47.275-05:002015-12-31T15:07:47.275-05:00Larry, I'd love to see you do a piece on local...Larry, I'd love to see you do a piece on local tax rates. Seems they always go up, despite new tax growth. It is this, as much as anything, that makes Amherst unaffordable. As someone who has been a supporter of new development in town, as an antidote to our high tax rate, would love to get an explanation for why this is. If we take in hundreds of thousands in new revenue, due to new development, shouldn't that be subtracted from the 2.5% allowable increase as opposed to added to it? Also, when properties get re-assessed, we almost always pay a higher amount in dollars. How does that increased amount of incoming revenue get figured into the 2.5%? <br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post-67937297841151549422015-12-31T14:02:12.639-05:002015-12-31T14:02:12.639-05:00Now if we can only build some other good looking b...Now if we can only build some other good looking buildings to replace all the junky ones around it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post-65325887658149679772015-12-31T13:52:08.202-05:002015-12-31T13:52:08.202-05:00But we ought to live with it for 20 years or so be...But we ought to live with it for 20 years or so before we start giving it any local awards.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post-34156510240724432302015-12-31T13:21:49.917-05:002015-12-31T13:21:49.917-05:00And the building was supposed to be an ugly pox on...And the building was supposed to be an ugly pox on the north end of downtown, yet it recently was honored with a "Silver Award For Buildings" for its excellence in design by the Design-Build Institute, New England Region.Larry Kelleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02614645831526190536noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post-8293247761641500192015-12-31T12:57:23.200-05:002015-12-31T12:57:23.200-05:00Wait a minute, where's the apocalypse that was...Wait a minute, where's the apocalypse that was supposed to happen with the Kendrick Place apartments? The world was ending, remember?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com