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Posted on 04/13/2026 4:02:39 PM PDT by CFW
A quiet western Massachusetts town is being torn apart by a proposed 50% property tax hike — with neighbors stealing yard signs from one another and some residents warning they could be forced to sell their homes.
Residents of South Hadley, Mass., head to the polls Tuesday to vote on proposals to close the local budget gap.
One would raise $11 million for the town and hike average property tax bills by about $1,700 per year, according to the Daily Hampshire Gazette. The more modest proposal would generate a cool $9 million, increasing average property tax bills by roughly $1,400.
[snip]
Funds from the higher taxes would close a $3 million budget gap and pay for public schools, among other purposes.
Officials say the oft-cited “50% increase” reflects the town’s projected growth in its overall tax levy over five years under the higher option — not necessarily a single-year spike — and actual bills could vary depending on how much of that capacity the town ultimately uses.
Massachusetts already ranks among the most expensive states in the US for property taxes, with homeowners paying an average of $7,900 per year — trailing only a handful of Northeastern states like New Jersey and Connecticut.
(Excerpt) Read more at nypost.com ...
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The people that vote ‘rat don’t care. They don’t pay taxes anyway. They live in govt. housing on welfare and breed like rabbits and send all the kids to public schools. At least that is the way it is around my part of Texas. And they vote yes on every bond election along with voting democrat.
That’s Hadley…this is SOUTH Hadley. One is full of Polish Farmers. The other is South Hadley.
I am gonna take a wild guess at which political party is the governing one for this town. And it’s Dems! Did I do right?
Presuming you meant that figuratively, it is actually true literally as well.
Consider the ways we own land and homes, set at purchase time:
Tenancy in Common (TIC)
Joint Tenancy (JTWROS)
Tenancy by the Entirety (TBE)
Note the common word. So, if we hold property in 'tenancy', guess who the landlord is.
The way around this is to own property allodially. But, that is rare and takes jumping thru lots of hoops. If one does it, though, there are no property taxes. None.
Similarly, we don't allodially own our 'automobiles'. THey get converted to 'vehicles' the moment we send the original Manufacturers Statement of Origin to our Motor Vehicle Registry in exchange for plates. THen, we get a "certificate of deed/title", meaning we have limited ownership to sell, but not to refuse plating, inspections, excise, etc.
And if the taxpayers don’t approve it the city will just ad a “fee” with a frilly name. Oregon just did that. First, they wanted a “transportation tax” to fund infrastructure (all in Portland). The voters said no. So they just renamed it a fee increase. Now We have to vote to end the fees. I can’t wait to leave.
How do multi-million dollar budget gaps happen, always in Democratic run towns?
Any budget gaps should have immediate firings of local officials. If you don't budget according to your monetary resources at hand, then don't spend on credit! And whatever happened to rainy-day funds for unforeseen needs? Overspending is an epidemic in Democrat run towns!
I’m going on 79. It makes me glad I never owned a home or piece of property, nor had stocks, bonds or savings that the government to tax me on.
South Hadley...they voted Democrat, so I’ll be here eating popcorn...
???????
Without knowing details of your financial situation, none of us can answer the question. You must have taxable income, not derived from a job, if you owe the IRS money in taxes.
Got it!
“You must have taxable income, not derived from a job”
I worked for many years, paid lots of taxes and put money away for retirement.
Scrimped and saved sort of thing.
Now I have to pay taxes on my social security and retirement income
THAT I paid into!
Just so some useless Democrat that never paid into the system gets money to survive!
Let God take care of them.
I donate to charity of MY choice
not the Democrats governments choice.
My sister in laws house in Maine was assessed at $114k last year, $206k this year, a 55% increase and taxes nearly doubled to $3,014.00 a year. Maine was ranked 50th in infrastructure in 2025. Where does the money go?
I live in Montana and all properties are reassessed every two years.
In October we received our 4” x 6” assessment post card...our 1,085 sq. ft. home received it’s seventh digit, up $200,000 in value, and our taxes went DOWN from $4,400 to $4,000 per year.
It’s a blessing to have good republicans in charge of state policy.
Maybe it’s time to sell, pay the capital gains and invest the money. That’s what I’m doing with my rental property. The investment return is at least as large as the rental income, the money is more liquid and none of the headaches.
My daughters lives there a pays 10 grand a year
From a Google inquiry:
<>South Hadley, Massachusetts, is facing a severe budget crisis in early 2026 driven by a structural deficit, with expenses outpacing revenue due to a 42% spike in healthcare costs, rising special education needs, and stagnant state aid. The town is considering a Proposition 2½ tax override to address a roughly $3 million-plus deficit, with options ranging from $9M to $11M in extra taxes to avoid deep cuts to school staff, library services, and public works.
Key Causes of the Budget Crisis:
Surging Costs: An abrupt 42% increase in health insurance premiums combined with mounting special education expenses, which are outpacing tax revenue growth.
Structural Deficit & Past Cuts: A Budget Task Force report highlights that the town has underfunded services for over a decade, with school funding averaging
2% increases despite needing 4-6% to maintain services.
Declining/Flat Revenue: Reduced state aid, limited new growth, and the depletion of pandemic-era federal funds.
Reduced School Enrollment: Loss of $3.1 million due to school choice and enrollment trends, which reduced state funding formula amounts. <>
Forty-two percent spike in healthcare costs? What, for homo/trannies and illegals?
Special Education? Color me skeptical.
“School choice and enrollment trends,” meaning parents with resources beating feet from crappy schools. Oh, and thank abortion and general horrible MA government for fewer students.
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