Town Meeting:Revenues

Approximately 75% of Town revenue is raised through local real estate taxes. Some local receipts come from fines, investment income, license fees, and excise taxes. Revenue from the School Department's fees for student athletics and bus transportation is also included in this category. Enterprise funds have been created for water, sewer, and recreation. These accounts are supported by user fees for a given service and do not depend on taxes for operating revenue. The Commonwealth is another source of revenue for the Town. State money partially supports library services, highway improvement, and certain educational programs. In most cases these funds do not completely offset the costs of these programs. The Commonwealth also makes payments in lieu of taxes for some tax-exempt property. The federal government also contributes in a minor way to the Town's revenue through grants for specific purposes.