Dear Select Board and Reading Business Leaders,
On behalf of the Reading-North Reading Chamber of Commerce and the Board of Directors, we oppose an increase in the current split tax rate in Reading. An increase to the current split tax rate does not further increase the net tax base for Reading and will not increase revenues or attract new businesses to Reading. An increase to the current split tax rate will be detrimental to many of our local businesses.
- We believe the Select Board and business community can come together to create a family-friendly, inclusive, and thriving environment for all to succeed with a vibrant downtown that is bustling with renewed excitement.
- Most of our businesses are small, truly family-owned operations and they operate with lean profit margins.
- These are the businesses that pay for local ads in the books printed for the RMHS Drama Club, or sponsor calendars for the high school sports teams.
- Businesses that support our community by participating in the Annual Tree Lighting in town, Fall Street Fair, and many other town initiatives.
- Increasing our overall commercial tax base with improved properties has been a commitment by all which will provide long term funding for our town, schools and services.
- The newly added or soon to be added commercial spaces need to be filled first and foremost.
- An increase in the split tax rate will put the town of Reading at a disadvantage when trying to attract new businesses.
- Our current tax rate is one of our distinguishing factors and a competitive advantage when trying to attract new development in town.
- Even a small tax increase onto the business community can drastically impact a business' working cash flow.
- Any tax increase will be passed along directly to the consumer, in the cost of increased goods or services.
- These are real consequences and we should do all we can to prevent these circumstances from happening at this time of heightened political polarization.
- We need to find ways to entice new businesses to open their doors in town, and the current tax rate is an advantage to achieve that goal.
Please show your support by signing this petition and passing it along to other Reading Businesses and residents. Also we strongly recommend attending the Select Board meeting at Reading Town Hall on October 29th at 7:30 PM to voice your support and opinion.
By signing this petition you agree to the language above and are willing to stand by the Reading–N. Reading Chamber of Commerce to help Reading remain a fair and friendly town for all.
Very truly yours,
Reading-North Reading Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors
Updates
October 27, 2019
The Select Board is feeling the pressure from our community but we need to keep the momentum going. Email your representative today to tell them that local businesses are the backbone of this town. Post this link on Facebook and tag your local board members.
October 27, 2019
We hit a meaningful milestone today that proves this town knows exactly what our local businesses mean to our community. Now is the time to build on this energy so send the petition link to three friends and call your representative to tell them this tax hike is a bad idea for Reading.
18 Comments
I am not in favor of increasing the split tax at this time. Businesses will be forced to raise prices which will be more than the savings for the resident. I ask to wait until for new construction finishes. fills and an updated analysis can be completed. Thank you.
Being a small family owned business in town for over 28 years (Christophers Rest.) We have been able to grow along with the town. With increased costs from the state with new mandates for health insurance and family leave along with more competition in town it's very challenging to stay competitive. The increased tax would be a real burden so I am opposed to the split tax rate.
Commercial property places few demands on town services compared to residential property. The attractiveness of a Town and the value of single-family residential property is sustained by the viability of downtown commercial property. A split tax rate is regressive and derogates from the value of all property,
Most of the businesses in Reading are small family owned businesses. It's bad enough that we all have to compete with large box stores. Small businesses are the backbone of our community. We donate to every cause in our town. Increased taxes will limit our ability to support our local fundraisers.
The split tax rate would hurt small businesses like ourselve (Reading Trophy & Shirt) by raising our taxes we would have to cut back hours of our employees how are Reading residents, we also would have to cut down on the amount of donations to local teams and organizations.
Spli tax rate does not bring more money to the Town - forces business to close or reduce employment.
Just in case you all don't remember - it is REVENUE NEUTRAL TO THE TOWN. It does NOT generate more money but puts the burden on businesses while offsetting the home owner with maybe a few hundred dollars. Is this worth losing businesses - especially since they are now being inundated with family leave, higher minimum wages and more. Reading is the home of many small businesses who provide employment opportunities to the community. We do have a few big box stores - but they get tax gratuities that the home owner doesn't.
Sign Petition
We never post to your account. Social sign-in is used only to verify your signature.
Add a comment?
Your signature will be added via . Tell others why you're signing — it's optional.
By signing, you accept our Terms and Privacy Policy and agree to occasional emails about petitions. Unsubscribe anytime.
Share Petition
Don't stop at signing, share the petition link with friends to multiply our impact
Copy link or share directly
Dear Select Board and Reading Business Leaders,
On behalf of the Reading-North Reading Chamber of Commerce and the Board of Directors, we oppose an increase in the current split tax rate in Reading. An increase to the current split tax rate does not further increase the net tax base for Reading and will not increase revenues or attract new businesses to Reading. An increase to the current split tax rate will be detrimental to many of our local businesses.
- We believe the Select Board and business community can come together to create a family-friendly, inclusive, and thriving environment for all to succeed with a vibrant downtown that is bustling with renewed excitement.
- Most of our businesses are small, truly family-owned operations and they operate with lean profit margins.
- These are the businesses that pay for local ads in the books printed for the RMHS Drama Club, or sponsor calendars for the high school sports teams.
- Businesses that support our community by participating in the Annual Tree Lighting in town, Fall Street Fair, and many other town initiatives.
- Increasing our overall commercial tax base with improved properties has been a commitment by all which will provide long term funding for our town, schools and services.
- The newly added or soon to be added commercial spaces need to be filled first and foremost.
- An increase in the split tax rate will put the town of Reading at a disadvantage when trying to attract new businesses.
- Our current tax rate is one of our distinguishing factors and a competitive advantage when trying to attract new development in town.
- Even a small tax increase onto the business community can drastically impact a business' working cash flow.
- Any tax increase will be passed along directly to the consumer, in the cost of increased goods or services.
- These are real consequences and we should do all we can to prevent these circumstances from happening at this time of heightened political polarization.
- We need to find ways to entice new businesses to open their doors in town, and the current tax rate is an advantage to achieve that goal.
Please show your support by signing this petition and passing it along to other Reading Businesses and residents. Also we strongly recommend attending the Select Board meeting at Reading Town Hall on October 29th at 7:30 PM to voice your support and opinion.
By signing this petition you agree to the language above and are willing to stand by the Reading–N. Reading Chamber of Commerce to help Reading remain a fair and friendly town for all.
Very truly yours,
Reading-North Reading Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors
Updates
October 27, 2019
The Select Board is feeling the pressure from our community but we need to keep the momentum going. Email your representative today to tell them that local businesses are the backbone of this town. Post this link on Facebook and tag your local board members.
October 27, 2019
We hit a meaningful milestone today that proves this town knows exactly what our local businesses mean to our community. Now is the time to build on this energy so send the petition link to three friends and call your representative to tell them this tax hike is a bad idea for Reading.
18 Comments
The state of MA has imposed so many new increases for businesses. The fast increase in minimum wage, new sick time policies, new FMLA tax, Tax for MA health connector. These ideas while good for employees, are coming at businesses so fast, we cannot keep up. Massachusetts is quickly becoming a state that Companies cannot afford to stay in. Please help keep local taxes affordable. We do not add students to the school system. We give back to the community often. We help to make Reading a wonderful community. We are struggling. Please hear us!!!!! Sincerely, Mary Grimmer
I am not in favor of increasing the split tax at this time. Businesses will be forced to raise prices which will be more than the savings for the resident. I ask to wait until for new construction finishes. fills and an updated analysis can be completed. Thank you.
Being a small family owned business in town for over 28 years (Christophers Rest.) We have been able to grow along with the town. With increased costs from the state with new mandates for health insurance and family leave along with more competition in town it's very challenging to stay competitive. The increased tax would be a real burden so I am opposed to the split tax rate.
Commercial property places few demands on town services compared to residential property. The attractiveness of a Town and the value of single-family residential property is sustained by the viability of downtown commercial property. A split tax rate is regressive and derogates from the value of all property,
Most of the businesses in Reading are small family owned businesses. It's bad enough that we all have to compete with large box stores. Small businesses are the backbone of our community. We donate to every cause in our town. Increased taxes will limit our ability to support our local fundraisers.
The split tax rate would hurt small businesses like ourselve (Reading Trophy & Shirt) by raising our taxes we would have to cut back hours of our employees how are Reading residents, we also would have to cut down on the amount of donations to local teams and organizations.
Spli tax rate does not bring more money to the Town - forces business to close or reduce employment.
Just in case you all don't remember - it is REVENUE NEUTRAL TO THE TOWN. It does NOT generate more money but puts the burden on businesses while offsetting the home owner with maybe a few hundred dollars. Is this worth losing businesses - especially since they are now being inundated with family leave, higher minimum wages and more. Reading is the home of many small businesses who provide employment opportunities to the community. We do have a few big box stores - but they get tax gratuities that the home owner doesn't.
Help this petition grow
Share it with friends to help reach 100 signatures.
Sign Petition
We never post to your account. Social sign-in is used only to verify your signature.
Add a comment?
Your signature will be added via .
Tell others why you're signing — it's optional.
Signing with Google or Facebook verifies your signature instantly — no email needed.
By signing, you accept our Terms and Privacy Policy and agree to occasional emails about petitions. Unsubscribe anytime.
Share Petition
Don't stop at signing, share the petition link with friends to multiply our impact
Petitions like this
Other petitions you might want to support
Scan to share
Anyone who scans this can sign the petition.
The state of MA has imposed so many new increases for businesses. The fast increase in minimum wage, new sick time policies, new FMLA tax, Tax for MA health connector. These ideas while good for employees, are coming at businesses so fast, we cannot keep up. Massachusetts is quickly becoming a state that Companies cannot afford to stay in. Please help keep local taxes affordable. We do not add students to the school system. We give back to the community often. We help to make Reading a wonderful community. We are struggling. Please hear us!!!!! Sincerely, Mary Grimmer