Good day to all and to all, Merry Christmas!

I finished watching the selectmen meeting of December 19, 2018 and I heard selectmen  saying Templeton has a low tax rate. So, I took seven minutes to look at the most recent data I could find. The division of local services, tax recap sheet, which anyone can do. I wanted the most current data, not old information.

This is what I found regarding to your approve community comparisons:

Templeton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Single tax rate (selectmen choice) - $17.24 per thousand

Ashburnham . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Single tax rate                                       $22.55 per thousand

Athol . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Single tax rate                                      $17.45 per thousand

Ayer   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  Multi tax rate  (residential)               $13.63 per thousand

                                                                                      (commercial)            $28.80 per thousand

Dudley . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  . . .Single tax rate                                       $13.50 per thousand

Monson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Single tax rate                                        $18.34 per thousand

Montague . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Multi tax rate (residential)                   $17.13 per thousand

                                                                                    (commercial)                 $26.19 per thousand

Orange . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Single tax rate                                        $22.52 per thousand

Shirley . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..  . .. . .Single tax rate                                        $16.08 per thousand

Townsend . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Single tax rate                                        $19.33 per thousand

Winchendon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Single tax rate                                       $16.71 per thousand

So, the information shows that of the comparison communities (10 ),  five are higher than Templeton and five are lower than Templeton for residential taxes. How does this equate to Templeton having a low tax rate with regards to other communities on the list? Please check this information (as you should) Percentages can be manipulated to fit anything, but the per thousand tells residents where they stand regarding charges, in dollars and cents, to pay bills charged to them. 

Question: How many residents do the selectmen propose go to the Assessors office and question what percentage of their median family income goes to their tax bill? Now, how many residents do the selectmen propose go into the Assessors to question their tax bill or inquire about the tax rate? I suggest you inquire in the Assessors office or speak with elected members of the Board of Assessors.

note: Selectmen referenced a column on the comparison community chart showing average tax bills as a percentage of median income. 

On the average single family tax bill,  4 communities had a lower total average tax bill than Templeton. Six communities had a larger total average tax bill than Templeton. Templeton is near the middle of those averages. How does any of this information justify telling people that Templeton has a low tax rate?