PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Pittsfield City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to set the city's tax rates for fiscal 2027. The decision will raise the average single-family tax bill by about $140. In two narrow votes earlier in the night, councilors slowed the mayor's plans for two former school buildings.

Tax rate

Laura Catalano, chair of the Board of Assessors, said the residential rate will be $17.88 per $1,000 of assessed value, up 38 cents from last year. The rate for commercial, industrial and personal property will be $37.95. The average single-family home is valued at just under $316,000, she said, and its tax bill will rise about $140, or 2.64%.

The council kept the city's split between residential and business taxpayers at the same level as recent years. One councilor said that shift puts the largest share allowed under state law on business owners.

Several councilors said the tax rate follows from the budget the council passed in June and urged residents to weigh in during next year's budget hearings. Mayor Peter Marchetti said rising costs for personnel, debt service, pensions and health insurance, including a $4 million increase in health insurance, add up to "probably $10 million worth of increases." One councilor warned that the city's tax rate would keep climbing unless spending comes down.

Hibbert School tabled

The council voted 6-5 to table an order that would have put the Hibbert School under the mayor's care and custody. The city plans to sell the property for housing.

Councilor Kenneth Warren said he would not support the order without conditions requiring the mayor to come back to the council before choosing a buyer and setting a price. "I'm not giving a blank check to anyone," Warren said. He pointed to an order the council passed in April declaring the school surplus, which said the city would act "by and through its mayor and city council."

Marchetti said the tabling would delay the city's request for proposals because "I can't put an RFP out if I don't have a building that's free in control." He said that as the city's chief executive he would sign any sale documents, but that he would include the council.

Morningside referred to committee

The council also voted 6-5 to send to its Buildings and Maintenance Committee an order transferring Morningside Community School to the mayor's care and custody. The city is studying turning the building into a police station. Councilor Kathy Moody made the motion to refer it.

Warren said the request for proposals for a designer calls for a final design by May 28, 2027, so construction can begin that summer. He said that pace explained why neighbors felt the project was moving faster than they knew. Later in the meeting he said, "Somebody's looking for a $50 million police station in Morningside without even getting the numbers."

Marchetti said proposals from designers have come in and will be evaluated. The chosen designer would hold neighborhood meetings, he said. If the cost of a police station proves too high, the city would "go back to the drawing board," and housing is another possible use. Any funding would still need council approval, he said.