BEVERLY — Property taxes in Beverly are lower than in many nearby towns, but still rank in the top 25 percent in the state, according to figures from the state Department of Revenue.
The average single-family homeowner in Beverly is paying $4,751 in property taxes this fiscal year, which ends on June 30. That's lower than the average tax bill in affluent towns like Wenham, Manchester and Hamilton, but high enough to rank 79th out of the more than 300 communities in the state, according to the Department of Revenue.
Property taxes are a hot topic of debate as voters prepare to go to the polls on Tuesday for the city's first Proposition 21/2 override election. Proponents are pushing for a $2.5 million override to avoid closing one or two elementary schools this September. Opponents say the tax burden is already too high.
If the override passes, the owner of the average-priced home in the city would pay $187 more per year in property taxes.
"A lot of our supporters are senior citizens, and they're not going to get that kind of a pay increase this year in Social Security, so that's very difficult for them," said Elliott Margolis, the leader of the anti-override group Citizens for Fiscal Responsibility.
"Look at the price of gasoline versus last year. Look at the price of food versus last year. Look at the price of heating oil versus last year," Margolis said. "The cumulative effect of everything is a lot more than $200."
Tracey Armstrong of the pro-override group Yes! for Beverly said she realizes a tax increase would be a "challenge" for many people, especially those on fixed incomes. But taxes pay for services that improve the quality of life in the city, she said.
"While taxes in general are not a subject we like to discuss, they are essential in paying for the key services that make our community what it is," she said. "That's what we're talking about here."
If the override passes, the school system will stay the same in September and give the community a year to come up with a plan to consolidate schools. If the override fails, McKeown Elementary School will close at the end of June.
In September, it would become an alternative school for high school students under a plan approved last week by the School Committee. Students throughout the city would be spread among the five remaining elementary schools.
Superintendent James Hayes had proposed closing both McKeown and Cove schools, but Mayor Bill Scanlon said he will provide $680,000 from the city side of the budget to keep Cove School open.
The polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. for Tuesday's election.
LOCAL TAX BILLS
Community Avg. single-family tax bill State rank Avg. home value
Wenham $8,260 13 $639,334
Manchester $7,905 18 $1.04 million
Boxford $7,423 24 $677,925
Swampscott $7,293 26 $535,037
Hamilton $7,215 28 $538,850
Topsfield $7,008 29 $583,028
Marblehead $6,108 39 $732,416
Middleton $5,357 54 $552,873
Beverly $4,751 79 $456,848
Ipswich $4,655 85 $504,300
Danvers $4,231 104 $406,848
Salem $4,054 121 $347,426
Peabody $3,230 226 $372,500
Source: Massachusetts Department of Revenue
