tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post820633340185262192..comments2023-10-17T22:56:42.784-04:00Comments on Only in The Republic of Amherst: Another Dark and Stormy Night for OverridersLarry Kelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02614645831526190536noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post-48103936318680385582007-04-29T09:57:00.000-04:002007-04-29T09:57:00.000-04:00Nice job not answering the question.Nice job not answering the question.Rick Hoodhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04347110422224233217noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post-35924816462542368162007-04-29T09:12:00.000-04:002007-04-29T09:12:00.000-04:00Well, I've run a small business in town for over 2...Well, I've run a small business in town for over 25 years (and pay more "personal property tax" on my business equipment than you do.Larry Kelleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02614645831526190536noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post-72005270839238637962007-04-29T08:30:00.000-04:002007-04-29T08:30:00.000-04:00When you say “with almost nothing to show for that...When you say “with almost nothing to show for that enormous investment” does that mean you think that Amherst is no better than Hadley? Why do you live in Amherst then?<BR/><BR/>Clearly this points out the huge problem that lack of development in Amherst has created. With Hadley at 30% commercial property tax income, Northampton at 20% and Amherst at 8% its no wonder Hadley residential is least and Amherst most.<BR/><BR/>Are you for fixing that problem or just for decimating our schools?Rickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04965279759031926767noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post-916009175779842172007-04-28T19:44:00.000-04:002007-04-28T19:44:00.000-04:00So there you go Rick. My God! How out of whack is...So there you go Rick. My God! How out of whack is Amherst compared to normal civilization in our splendiferous state?<BR/><BR/>Main stunner is that Amherst--if this Wish List Override passes--will overtake Longmeadow for property tax champion of Eastern Massachusetts (with almost nothing to show for that enormous investment).Larry Kelleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02614645831526190536noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post-51615087878541278132007-04-28T17:47:00.000-04:002007-04-28T17:47:00.000-04:00FYITAX RATE information from DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE...FYI<BR/>TAX RATE information from DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE, DIVISION OF LOCAL SERVICES: 2006 REAL ESTATE TAXES for homes assessed at $330,900 in selected communities and MEDIAN FAMILY INCOME(MFI) for the same communities (2000 Census).<BR/><BR/>COMMUNITY__TAX RATE__RE TAX____MFI<BR/>Amherst_______15.09____$4993___$61,237<BR/>Northampton___11.73____3881_____56,844<BR/>Hadley_________9.28____3070_____61,897<BR/>S.Hadley______12.69____4199_____58,693<BR/><BR/>Weston_________9.95__$3292___$181,041<BR/>Sherborn_______13.96___4619____136,211<BR/>Lincoln_________9.30___3077_____87,642 <BR/>Dover__________9.10___3011____157,168<BR/>Carlisle_______12.99____4298____142,350<BR/>Concord_______10.23___3385____115,839<BR/>Wellesley_______8.32___3272____134,769<BR/><BR/>NOTES:<BR/>Lincoln has a large military base (affects median family income).<BR/><BR/>Concord has state prison (substantial real estate off tax rolls).carol mhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09282030830316025241noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post-44304732251907815162007-04-28T13:37:00.000-04:002007-04-28T13:37:00.000-04:00Yes you are right - my apologies.Nick also made ot...Yes you are right - my apologies.<BR/><BR/>Nick also made other mistakes. I don't think he should have just put out an average tax bill comparison as though that is an accurate measure of what town is "expensive" and what town is not. The average tax bill depends, of course, on what the average home price is. I would guess that the average home price in Amherst is higher than the MA average and higher than Northampton. <BR/><BR/>What would have been useful is to show what the tax bill comparison is for the same price house (e.g. take the $330,900 average Amherst home).Rick Hoodhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04347110422224233217noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post-24022533310270694892007-04-28T13:12:00.000-04:002007-04-28T13:12:00.000-04:00I do not see where Larry or I wrote "no big deal"....I do not see where Larry or I wrote "no big deal". I did say that it is a huge difference, between 2/15 and 6/15, and that mistake is what I was pointing out.<BR/>It also troubled me that it was in an article that was supposed to be clearing things up. Mr. Grabbe has yet to return my call....marydhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03602654618005921631noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post-62814379593889171742007-04-28T10:26:00.000-04:002007-04-28T10:26:00.000-04:00So, that's not a big deal? Two out of 15 possible ...So, that's not a big deal? Two out of 15 possible classes per year gone means students will get 3.5 years of school in 4 years. Do the math: 13/15 x 4 = 3.46<BR/><BR/>In 2006, kids got all 4 years of classes.Rick Hoodhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04347110422224233217noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post-45921700297735990812007-04-28T09:59:00.000-04:002007-04-28T09:59:00.000-04:00Behold the power of the Blog!Isn't it great when y...Behold the power of the Blog!<BR/><BR/>Isn't it great when you can use a Blog to correct the mistakes of The Fourth Estate?Larry Kelleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02614645831526190536noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post-77095092730594490862007-04-28T09:44:00.000-04:002007-04-28T09:44:00.000-04:00I'd just like to add that on the front page of the...I'd just like to add that on the front page of the bulletin yesterday there was an error that needs to be cleared up. In Nick Grabbe's article on "the facts" there is a comment from Ms. Brighty stating our high school students will have 2 study halls per day. This is not true and is often repeated. They will have one study hall in 2 out of the 3 trimesters. A huge difference!marydhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03602654618005921631noreply@blogger.com