Council keeps commercial tax shift at 1.03

Select Board · Meeting of October 27, 2026

Gloucester City Council held the commercial tax shift at 1.03 for fiscal 2027. Principal Assessor Nancy Pappas told councillors the shift saves a $750,000 homeowner $15 a year and adds $210 for commercial, industrial and personal property owners. Residential property makes up 91.7 percent of the tax base.

Greater Cape Ann Chamber CEO Sam Bevins asked the council to "maintain the current shift at 1.03," while resident Thomas Aiello urged 1.05. Councillor Dylan Benson's amendment to set a single rate failed 2-7. The council also accepted a $132,000 state Harbor Walk and wayfinding grant, recorded as eight to one.

In the full story:

• Oral Communications
• Wastewater Secondary Treatment Upgrade
• Appointment and Consent Items
• Massachusetts Downtown Initiative Grant
• Portrait Donation
• RC-40 Lot Area Amendment
• Tax Classification
• Fee Publication Ordinance
• Councillors' Requests
• Who Was There
• Organizations And Documents Referenced
• The complete report: 1,900 words

Source: the Select Board meeting of October 27, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.

Checked against the record: before publication this article was automatically compared with the meeting transcript.