SAUGUS — The town has set its tax rates for Fiscal Year 2026, continuing the trend of voting for the 175% maximum shift.
Board of Assessors member Jennifer D’Eon gave the presentation for the FY26 tax rates to the Board of Selectmen.
“The total assessed value of the Town of Saugus for the year 2026 is $7,665,231,893,” D’Eon said.
She said the majority of new growth came from the brand-new residential apartments from Atwood and NOBU.
“Historically, Saugus, since 1982, has voted the 175% maximum shift. And the reason that we do is because the more you vote to shift the lower the residential rate goes down and that’s a relief for the residents,” she said.
The average single-family tax bill was $6,800, the lowest in the surrounding areas.
“If you compare to Danvers, Lynnfield, Melrose, Reading, Stoneham, (and) Wakefield, Saugus still has the lowest and it’s a great value,” D’Eon said.
She noted that in 2025, the tax rate was $10.68, and if the Board voted for the shift, the tax rate would be $10.42.
Town Manager Scott Crabtree added, “The most important thing residents should focus on is your average tax bill from an average house in Saugus… That’s the real comparison.”
He continued that Massachusetts is different from other states.
“What happens is if the values come down, the tax rates increase. Under Proposition 2 1/2, all cities and towns are always going to be able to tax of 2.5% of an increase within the levy,” he said.
Crabtree said for a full-service community, they have a very good “bang for your buck” for residents.
“No one wants to pay more taxes or have an increase on your cell phone, your electricity bill, or your heating bill, but the average tax bill in Saugus compared to communities around us, you can see from this, is very significant,” he said.
According to the Board of Assessors, an average single-family home in town valued at $683,849 will pay $7,126 in taxes next year, a $279 increase. An average commercial property valued at $2,201,281 will pay $46,843, a $572 decrease.
The Selectmen voted for the 175% shift, allocating the maximum share of the tax levy to commercial, industrial, and personal property at a $21.28 rate per $1,000 of assessed valuation.
