Our town of about 18,500 is an above-average community with new schools and a great, convenient location for people and businesses. Our 
residential tax rate is the same for businesses as homeowners. This results in 40% of our tax revenues now coming from businesses -- the high
est of any moderate sized town in the state. But it once was 60%!
Ironically, however, our average home taxes are now over $7,400 per year -- 64% higher than the state average -- in spite of the fact that we've never voted a general Prop 2 1/2 tax increase override. The reason our taxes are so high is because our public officials have not controlled spending (primarily for exploding pay and benefits for public union employees).
The reason our property taxes are almost $3,000 over the state average without overriding Prop 2 1/2 is because the "tax levy limit" was set in 1982 when we had a huge business base here that has since declined significantly. The Prop 2 1/2 regulation allows tax increases of 2 1/2% higher each year from that 1982 levy limit base (plus the addition of the value of any "new growth.") The tax levy limit never goes down except for a voted "tax underride." So unless our spending is controlled to less than what Prop 2 1/2 allows, I project our taxes will be TWICE the state average in about 8 years which will mean our community will certainly not be affordable for hundreds of life-long residents.
This website has information about Westborough's income and spending trends. Plus articles affecting your taxes, your schools, your pocketbooks, and your freedoms.
If you'd like to get on my conservative e-mail list, just e-mail me. I'll add you to our mailing list for news 
and actions you can take to help fight higher taxes! (You can opt out anytime). For an immediate shock about our nation's finances, just click the US DEBT CLOCK.ORG box to the right. Be sure you're sitting down when you do.