Marlborough City Council sets $13.12 residential tax rate, lowest since 1992

MARLBOROUGH — December 6, 2021 — Marlborough sets $13.12 residential tax rate, the city's lowest since 1992. The City Council voted 11-0 Monday to adopt a 1.40 CIP shift recommended by the Board of Assessors, dropping the residential rate 68 cents and producing a commercial rate of $22.17, pending state approval. City Assessor John Vallee reported total valuation rose 7.38 percent to $6.96 billion, with the average single-family bill rising $72 to roughly $5,657. Mayor Arthur Vigeant said the city's $156 million levy limit leaves more than $45 million in excess capacity, "second only to Cambridge." Council President Michael H. Ossing told colleagues neighboring Shrewsbury's average bill is rising $1,028 this year. The council also approved $1,036,642.88 in transfers — $51,700 from sale of graves and $984,942.88 from overlay reserve — to offset the levy. A separate motion to suspend the rules and act on the Campus at Marlborough master development plan failed; the item lies on the table until December 20.