Saturday, March 10, 2018

Ayer, MA finance committee - according to data, population of 8,000

Mission

The responsibility of the Finance Committee is to act in the best interest of the taxpayer. The Finance Committee is the representative and advisory committee for Town Meeting; the legislative body of government in the Town of Ayer. The committee’s primary responsibility is to present a balanced budget for Annual Town Meeting which provides an efficient use of available funds by maximizing revenue streams and ensuring expenses are quantified. The committee reviews and provides recommendations on all monetary municipal warrant articles. The committee provides information on the Town of Ayer’s financial health, execution of financial processes, and financial efficiency for voters to make educated decisions. Final decision making responsibility rests with elected officials and those who vote at Town Meeting and general elections.

Someone asked for this, so here you go.
Tax rate for Templeton, MA for 2018 is $16.72 per thousand.

Tax rate for Phillipston, MA for 2018 is $16.48 per thousand
(from their tax recap sheet on DLS website)

Tax rate for Winchendon, Ma for 2018 is $17.35 per thousand
(from their tax recap sheet on DLS website)

Tax rate for Hubbardston, MA for 2018 is $15.13 per thousand
(from their tax recap sheet on DLS website)

Tax rate for Royalston, MA for 2018 is $14,44 per thousand
(from their tax recap sheet on DLS website)

Tax rate for Wesminster, MA for 2018 is $18.55 per thousand
(from their tax recap sheet on DLS website)

Tax rate for Ashburnham, MA for 2018 is $23.40 per thousand
(from their tax recap sheet on DLS website)
Ashburnham's new school is on the books being paid for by tax rate)
listed on MSBA website with a 30 million dollar budget

Tax rate for Gardner, MA for 2018 is $20.27 per thousand
(from their tax recap sheet on DLS website)

Not many $20.00 per thousand Towns around Templeton.
A 2016 article on gas tax in Massachusetts. 
Cities and Towns get their chapter 90 monies from the fuel tax, except alot of those tax dollars go to pay for tunnels in Boston and other projects that benefit Templeton how?
BOSTON -- The state Legislature is poised to vote on a bill requiring the state to apply for federal funding to test a new tax on drivers, based on the number of miles traveled.
Gov. Charlie Baker has said he opposes the pilot program.
Supporters of the proposal say the state must come up with a new way to fund transportation infrastructure, since the growth of fuel efficient cars means the state will get less money from the state gas tax. The vehicle miles traveled tax could eventually replace the gas tax.
So how much money does Massachusetts get from the state gas tax?
Data obtained from the Massachusetts Department of Revenue shows that state revenue from the gas tax dropped on the heels of the 2008 recession, from $672.7 million in 2008 to $654 million in 2009. The revenue began to rebound around 2011.
In 2013, Massachusetts increased the state gas tax from 21 cents per gallon to 24 cents per gallon. With that shift, the state's revenue grew significantly, to $766 million in the year that ended on June 30.

Great news Templeton residents:

 
Today, 7:41 AM