Another recurring theme from prior years: Tax overrides as well as new development helped boost average tax bills well above the mystical 2.5 percent threshold in many communities. Most Massachusetts residents assume the state's Proposition 2 1/2 legislation from the '80s prohibits communities from raising a town's levy or average tax bill by more than 2.5 percent on a year-over-year basis. But it doesn't.

So brace yourselves, residents of Barre, because your average bill is about to jump 17.2 percent. Another five communities are in for hikes above the 10 percent mark, while 74 will increase by more than 5 percent. 

enjoy,

Jeff Bennett