After a detailed presentation from the Board of Assessors, the Southborough Select Board on Nov. 4 voted to adopt a single tax rate for fiscal year 2026 and not to adopt either the residential exemption or the small commercial exemption.

Deputy assessor and assessors explained that the town’s total taxable valuation rose to about $3.924 billion for FY26, an increase of roughly $136 million (about 3.6 percent). Residential values rose faster than commercial and industrial values, leaving commercial/industrial/personal property (CIP) classes at roughly 15.73 percent of the town’s total valuation — a share assessors described as low compared with historical norms. Assessors warned that because Southborough has relatively little commercial tax base, a split tax rate or exemptions would shift a comparatively large burden onto the town’s small commercial sector while producing modest relief for residential taxpayers.

Assessors walked the board through several scenarios, including a 5 percent tax‑shift example that would have decreased residential rates only modestly while raising CIP rates meaningfully. They recommended continuing with a single rate and not adopting the alternative exemptions.

After questions and discussion, the Select Board took three roll‑call votes: adopt a single tax rate (motion passed 4–1: Dennington, aye; Landry, aye; Ling, no; Hamilton, aye; Cook, aye), do not adopt the residential exemption (motion passed unanimously), and do not adopt the small commercial exemption (motion passed unanimously). Staff and assessors noted that state law caps and DOR rules govern tax‑classification mechanics and certification of assessed values.

Assessors also summarized other valuation details included in their presentation: FY26 new‑growth value reported at approximately $42,630,000 (which the assessors said translated to roughly $588,755 in additional tax capacity), an average single‑family assessment near $991,000 (about a 3.5% increase year‑over‑year), and projected average single‑family tax bills rising by about $1,000 (≈7.6%) under a single rate scenario. Assessors cautioned that these numbers are time‑lagged (reflecting prior calendar‑year sales) and that larger commercial development would be a more durable way to stabilize the tax base than reliance on tax‑shift mechanisms.

The board’s votes preserve the current single‑rate policy for FY26 and decline the exemptions that would have shifted burdens within the residential or commercial classes. Assessors and staff will proceed with DOR certification and subsequent administrative steps required to finalize the FY26 tax rate.