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SPENCER – On November 17, Selectmen voted for a single tax rate in FY26 of $10.98 for residential, commercial, industrial and personal property.
The rate was $11.74 in FY25.
The vote followed a presentation by Principal Assessor Linda LeBlanc, who outlined options for exemptions such as small commercial, open space, and residential (non-owner occupied properties or vacation homes.
LeBlanc reminded the board members they had not chosen to offer these exemptions in the past or pursue a split rate for residential and commercial properties.
Selectman Ralph Hicks noted it would be “foolhardy,” for Spencer to adopt a split rate. “I don’t want to scare companies away if they want to build here,” he said.
LeBlanc said other than Worcester, neighboring communities had single tax rates. Auburn and Sturbridge “went back and forth.”
In the Commonwealth, 32% of cities and towns have a split rate, LeBlanc added.
The board opted for the single rate and decided against exemptions.
For an average value home in FY26 of $425,450, taxes would total $4,671. That compares with an average value home of $393,738 and an average tax bill amounting to $4,622 in FY25.
More than 89% of Spencer’s properties are residential and 10% are commercial/industrial.
