ROCKLAND - December 2 - The Rockland Select Board unanimously approved a single tax rate of $13.87 per thousand dollars of property valuation for Fiscal Year 2026 on Tuesday, marking a 7.5% increase in the average single-family tax bill to $7,603, up from $7,072 last year. The increase reflects both rising property values and includes a new $2 million capital exclusion for a fire department ladder truck approved by voters in a fall special election.
The Full Story
Director of Assessing Meg Peterson presented the annual classification hearing to the Select Board, outlining the town’s total valuation of just over $3.6 billion, representing a 5.5% increase from the previous fiscal year. The residential class comprises 80.6% of total valuation, while commercial, industrial, and personal property account for 19.4%, figures that remain nearly identical to last year’s distribution.
The average single-family home value in Rockland rose to $548,175, a 6% increase from Fiscal Year 2025. However, the tax bill increase of 7.5% exceeds the property value increase due to the inclusion of a one-year capital expenditure exclusion for the fire department ladder truck. Peterson emphasized this capital exclusion applies only to Fiscal Year 2026 and will not continue in future years.
The board faced three key decisions during the classification hearing: whether to adopt a residential exemption, whether to implement a split tax rate, and whether to approve a small commercial exemption. The Board of Assessors recommended rejecting all three options, and the Select Board followed these recommendations unanimously.
Peterson explained that the split tax rate option, which would shift more tax burden to commercial properties while providing relief to residential taxpayers, would not be beneficial for Rockland at this time. Even with a 20% shift, she noted, commercial properties would pay an additional $1,500 per year while residential properties would only save approximately $300, representing just a 5% reduction. “We wouldn’t do that right away,” Peterson said, adding that communities typically need commercial properties to represent 20-25% of total valuation before considering a split rate.
The residential exemption, common in resort communities and large cities like Boston, would shift tax burden within the residential class to benefit owner-occupied properties. Peterson explained this approach makes sense in areas with significant numbers of non-owner-occupied properties but would not be appropriate for Rockland’s current housing composition.
The small commercial exemption, designed to benefit building owners with businesses employing fewer than 10 people, was also rejected. Peterson noted the difficulty in managing the necessary information and the lack of guarantee that property owners would pass savings to business tenants.
Peterson provided historical context for recent tax trends, referencing a graph showing the average single-family value over the past five years. She highlighted that Fiscal Year 2023 saw an almost 15% increase from the previous year, representing the post-COVID real estate market with inflated values and limited inventory. “The last few years we’ve seen it stabilize a bit, still strong, but also kind of trending,” Peterson said, noting that both this year and last year showed approximately 6% increases, with similar projections for the next fiscal year.
The town’s maximum allowable levy for Fiscal Year 2026 was calculated by starting with the Fiscal Year 2025 levy limit, adding the standard 2.5% increase and new growth of $326,000. This new growth figure, similar to last year’s amount and exceeding the budgeted $200,000, came primarily from residential development rather than commercial growth. After accounting for debt exclusions and the capital expenditure exclusion, the maximum allowable levy stands at $50,477,285, with an estimated levy of $50,417,000, leaving excess levy capacity of $60,285.
Select Board member Tiffanie Needham inquired about how seniors and other residents facing substantial tax increases could learn about available relief programs. Peterson detailed several options, including income and asset-based exemptions for seniors, veteran exemptions recently enhanced through the HERO Act, and a work-off program for seniors and veterans. She encouraged residents to contact the assessor’s office, visit the town website, or speak with Julie at the Senior Center about the work-off program.
Select Board Vice Chair Lori Childs questioned whether the work-off program, currently limited to 10 participants, could be expanded given pending financial challenges. Peterson explained the program is funded through the overlay account and that any expansion would require approval from the Finance Committee. Town Administrator Doug Lapp added that capacity considerations for managing the work across different departments would also need evaluation.
The board also discussed tax increment financing as a tool to attract new businesses. Lapp explained the rigorous state process requires businesses to prove they could not locate in town without the tax break, noting that one interested business early in his tenure could not meet this documentation requirement.
Peterson emphasized the importance of transparency in property assessments, noting that all property record cards showing home values and details are available on the town website. She encouraged residents to review this information and contact the assessor’s office with questions to ensure accuracy and efficiency.
Fire Station Project and Other Business
In other significant business, Lapp announced the selection of Pomeroy Associates of East Bridgewater as the Owner’s Project Manager for the new fire station construction project. The firm was chosen from 10 proposals after staff interviewed four finalists. “The size, scale, cost of our fire station project is exactly in their wheelhouse,” Lapp said, noting the firm’s extensive experience with fire station projects of similar scope and their current work managing Abington’s Department of Public Works and fire station project.
Pomeroy Associates will review the architect’s fee proposal, oversee demolition of the Lincoln School building, manage contractor procurement and administration for the demolition, and review final design and construction plans for the new facility.
Regarding the Pleasant Street landfill redevelopment project, Lapp reported that four proposals were received, with staff and consultants recommending rejection of one proposal for not complying with RFP requirements. The remaining three firms will participate in public interviews before the Select Board at their December 16 meeting, with staff providing suggested questions for the board’s consideration.
Lapp also announced he successfully received his International City/County Management Association credentialed manager designation, describing it as a lifelong professional development commitment involving 360-degree reviews, peer feedback, and ongoing training rather than a simple certification.
Emergency Response Recognition
Fire Chief Scott Duffey provided an update on the December 30 emergency evacuation of Webster Park Nursing Facility and Rehabilitation Center at 56 Webster Street following a fire in a third-floor common area. Responding to a call shortly after 4 p.m. during the town’s holiday stroll event, firefighters found active fire above the ceiling and quickly extinguished it while simultaneously evacuating all 102 residents from the facility.
“Within half an hour of the call, they had 22 residents from the third floor evacuated down to a safer, less smoke-filled environment, which is amazing because those patients had to be carried down,” Duffey said, praising both his department’s response and the nursing home staff’s performance. He noted one staff member was observed carrying a patient over their shoulders down the stairs.
The evacuation required assistance from approximately 36 communities, including 27 municipal ambulances and another 50 private ambulances from Brewster, Coastal, and South Shore Health Systems. Patients were transported to facilities ranging from Danvers on the North Shore to Fall River on the South Coast and Orleans and Brewster on Cape Cod. The entire evacuation was completed within three hours with no injuries from smoke inhalation.
The building’s sprinkler system activated as designed, but resulting water damage to the electrical system required power to be shut down to the entire facility. The fire’s cause remains under investigation, with Duffey noting nothing appeared intentional or suspicious. The facility’s reopening timeline remains uncertain pending electrical system assessment and cleanup.
Select Board members unanimously praised the response. Needham noted she has a loved one who was on the third floor and expressed gratitude for the heroic response. Select Board member Steve O’Donnell called it “a real testament to your leadership and the leadership of your lieutenants,” adding that events like this “can go sideways very quickly.”
Vice Chair Childs noted that seven Rockland firefighters were honored at the Firefighter of the Year Awards in Worcester, with Tommy Henderson receiving a Medal of Valor for his response to a Summer Street fire. She and O’Donnell attended the ceremony. Childs suggested the Webster Park response merits similar recognition in 2026.
License Renewals
The board unanimously approved annual license renewals for 2026, including common victualer licenses for 32 establishments, automatic amusement licenses for three locations, entertainment licenses for 12 venues, lodging licenses for two facilities, innholder licenses for two hotels, Class 1 auto dealer licenses for six dealerships, Class 2 auto repair licenses for 10 businesses, and taxi/livery licenses for one operator.
Notably absent from the renewal list was The Banner Inn, which holds an innholder license but is not currently operating. Lapp explained that building code compliance issues must be resolved before the license can be considered for renewal. A site visit with inspectional staff and the town attorney is planned within the next week, with a final decision potentially coming at the board’s December 16 meeting. If the license is not renewed by year’s end, the establishment would need to file a completely new application with the state Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission.
Community Events and Announcements
Board members praised the Recreation Department for another successful holiday stroll despite cold weather. Select Board Chair Michael O’Loughlin specifically thanked Recreation Event Corrdinator Olivia McCormick and Director Jeanne Blaney for organizing the event “on a shoestring” budget, noting it attracts residents from many surrounding communities that do not host similar events.
O’Loughlin also provided an update on the Rockland Food Pantry, reporting that last month’s Scout Drive collected over 15,000 pounds of food. The pantry currently has more donations than storage space, with food being stored at multiple off-site facilities. While the pantry continues accepting both food and monetary donations, O’Loughlin suggested delaying large-scale food drives until early 2026 to allow the pantry to manage current inventory levels.
Lapp announced the winter parking ban took effect Monday, December 1 at 1:30 a.m., with police enforcement beginning immediately. Vice Chair Childs reminded residents that nomination papers for local offices, including Water Commission and Board of Health positions, become available January 7, 2026, and encouraged community members to consider running. She also recognized the passing of Madeline Ledin, a 75-year resident who died at age 99.
O’Donnell invited any Rockland residents or neighborhood groups to contact board members for community meetings, noting he and Ellard recently met with Pawn Street area residents. “We can’t be good leaders of the community unless we’re educated to all of our residents’ concerns, as well as projects that we may not have all the information on,” O’Donnell said.
Why It Matters
The approved tax rate directly impacts every Rockland property owner’s finances for the coming year. With the average single-family tax bill increasing by $531, homeowners will need to budget for higher housing costs. The 7.5% increase exceeds typical cost-of-living adjustments, potentially creating financial strain for households on fixed incomes, though relief programs exist for qualifying seniors and veterans. The decision to maintain a single tax rate rather than shift burden to commercial properties preserves the town’s ability to attract new businesses while distributing the tax burden proportionally based on property values. The capital exclusion for the fire truck represents a one-time increase that will not continue into future years, meaning next year’s tax increase should be lower absent other factors. Property owners should review their assessments on the town website and contact the assessor’s office with questions, while eligible residents should explore available exemption and work-off programs to reduce their tax obligations.
Meeting Minutes
Key Motions & Votes
Motion: Approve minutes from November 18, 2025 meeting. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 00:17:52)
Motion: Open public hearing on FY26 tax classification. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 00:19:00)
Motion: Close public hearing on FY26 tax classification. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 00:37:00)
Motion: Town of Rockland does not adopt residential exemption for Fiscal Year 2026. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 00:37:21)
Motion: Town of Rockland adopts residential Factor 1 (single tax rate) for Fiscal Year 2026. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 00:37:35)
Motion: Town of Rockland does not adopt small commercial exemption for Fiscal Year 2026. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 00:37:47)
Motion: Approve annual license renewals for 2026. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 00:43:14)
Motion: Adjourn meeting. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 00:54:09)
Public Comment
No public comment was offered during the tax classification public hearing or other portions of the meeting.
What’s Next
The Select Board will hold public interviews with three finalists for the Pleasant Street landfill redevelopment project at their December 16, 2025 meeting. A decision on The Banner Inn’s innholder license renewal is also expected at that meeting following a site visit by inspectional staff and the town attorney. Property owners can review their assessments and contact the assessor’s office with questions. Eligible residents should inquire about tax relief programs including senior exemptions, veteran exemptions, and the work-off program. Nomination papers for local offices become available January 7, 2026.
Full meeting available via WRPS Rockland at YouTube.com/WRPSRockland and WRPSRockland.com.