Monday, October 19, 2009

No Tax Break

A local insurance company won't be getting any tax break from the Town. Danny Carey's Insurance Agency on North Street asked Bridgewater Town Council for an exception to keep his tax rate at the present commercial rate without adding on the extra rate to make up for declining Business Occupancy assessments. Carey says because the Property Valuation Services has changed the class his business falls under, he'll be paying an extra 9 percent over what other businesses in the town will be paying. Mayor Carroll Publicover says Council's hands are tied on the matter. He says they referred it to staff for study and they checked the Municipal Government Act and with advisors and he says they are not allowed to change the rate.
Publicover says Carey's situation was not unique and his was not the only business to be affected.