Weeks of Pittsfield, Massachusetts city council stalemate ended with a conclusive vote on the city’s tax rates Tuesday night.
After two consecutive meetings of gridlock, the council approved a mayoral order for the use of an additional $1 million in free cash to soften the blow of rising taxes. Recently re-elected Mayor Linda Tyer unhappily advanced the proposal Monday after two plans for lesser sums were rejected.
“I’m aware of the political dynamics that are at play here, and I’m more concerned about the risk to the city of Pittsfield than I am about winning this argument,” said the mayor.
The average Pittsfield homeowner will see a tax increase of around 5.7% – or just over $205 – in 2020.