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Chicopee Council OKs nonbinding ballot question on quarterly property-tax payments
Summary
The City Council voted to place a nonbinding question on the Nov. 4 municipal ballot asking whether Chicopee should accept Chapter 59, Section 57C to allow quarterly property-tax payments instead of twice-yearly billing.
The Chicopee City Council voted Sept. 2 to place a nonbinding question on the Nov. 4 municipal ballot asking voters whether the city should accept the provisions of Chapter 59, Section 57C of the Massachusetts General Laws to permit quarterly property-tax payments instead of the current twice-yearly schedule. Councilors amended the ballot language on the recommendation of the city attorney before voting.
The measure’s supporters said the question would start a public conversation and let taxpayers weigh in on a change some residents told councilors would help with budgeting. “This will simply allow the residents and the voters of the city of Chicopee to weigh in,” Councilor Shane Brooks said during debate.
Opponents and some councilors urged more outreach and technical detail before a citywide discussion. Several speakers in public comment had urged more outreach about street-safety and other ballot items, and council members asked staff and the finance team to be prepared to explain operational impacts if the measure moves forward. Council discussion noted a statutory implementation deadline for getting language to the clerk and that a special meeting could meet the Sept. 30 clerical deadline if the council chose to hold one.
The council first rejected a motion to send the question to a committee of the whole for a public hearing, with several members saying a committee meeting would delay placement on the November ballot. After debate the council approved sending the amended question to be printed on the Nov. 4 ballot; the roll call recorded eight yes, two no and one abstention.
If voters approve a nonbinding question, the city would still need to adopt enabling action and work through operational details with the collector, treasurer and assessor to change billing cycles. The council and several members of the city’s finance team said they plan further meetings with department staff to map timelines and costs if the city advances the change.
