Attleboro looks to help business; city council votes to reduce tax increase

ATTLEBORO – Attleboro city councilors voted to reduce the growing tax burden on businesses by a 9-to-1 margin Tuesday night, The Sun Chronicle reported.

Following the vote, the average business owner will see a tax increase of about $1,291 and the average homeowner about $79, based on tax rates of $19.62 per $1,000 valuation for businesses and $12.21 per $1,000 valuation for homeowners.

The city hopes the move will help retain business and attract new ones.

First-term councilor Duff White voted ‘no’ because he thinks the measure does not go far enough; he wants to see built-in reductions every year.

“We have to have short-term pain for a long-term gain,” said councilor Cherie Felos to The Sun Chronicle, noting that the tax-cutting for businesses may hurt homeowners in the short term but will improve the city’s economy and tax base in the long term.

Budget Chairman Brian Kirby, who proposed the rate, said the city needs to move in “small steps” to lessen the impact on homeowners who will pick up the difference.

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