Average Andover Tax Bill To Rise $406

ANDOVER, MA — The average single-family home tax bill in Andover will increase by over $400 for the current fiscal year after the Select Board voted to set the tax classification Monday.

The Board selected a 159 percent shift, meaning commercial and industrial taxpayers will pay 159 percent of what they would if there was a single tax rate for all classes of taxpayers. Residential taxpayers will pay 86.4% of that uniform rate.

The residential rate is $15.29 mills, while the commercial rate is 20.08.

The average single-family home bill will be $10,629, up $406 from last year. The average single-family home rose in value about $14,000, to $695,153.

Town officials recommended the 159 shift as it comes closest to equal increases for each class of taxpayers. Residential rates rise about 4 percent, while commercial rates rise 3.9 percent and industrial rates 3.7.

The selectmen explored options that would result in smaller increases for residential taxpayers, but, Selectwoman Laura Gregory noted, "We also don't want to drive businesses out of town."

The full meeting is available here from AndoverTV.

Christopher Huffaker can be reached at 412-265-8353 or chris.huffaker@patch.com.