Even though local tax rates have risen, it doesn't mean bills are increasing for all homeowners.
Several local communities had properties reassessed this past year, which caused many residential property values to drop.
In Hampstead, the tax rate went up 7 percent, but the town also lost about $50 million of its $1 billion in valuation, according to Selectman Richard Hartung. Most of that value was in residential properties, he said.
"From year to year, the bill might have dropped slightly," Hartung said.
Derry's tax rate of $27.88, which is one of the highest in the state, jumped 9 percent this year, but property values also dropped 6 percent.
Derry assessor Dave Gomez said homeowners should see an increase of about 2 percent, about $135 for the average home valued at $249,000.
Pelham's tax rate has increased 12 percent, but the town also lost about 9 percent or $131 million of valuation during a reassessment.
The town has to collect about $854,000 more this year, so each homeowner will see an increase of about 3 percent in their bill. That translates into about $182 for the average property valued at $350,000.
In Londonderry, the tax rate increased about 6 percent, but property values fell about 12 percent during the reassessment, according to assessor Karen Marchant.
Barbara Robinson of the state Department of Revenue Administration said most tax rates across the state are lower than expected this year.
"I don't know if it's the voters' say at Town Meeting or what's causing that trend," Robinson said.
Salem's tax rate only increased by 1.2 percent to $14.05. The town portion stayed the same as 2008 at $4.79.
But some increases couldn't be avoided this year, due to towns collecting less in revenue.
Atkinson Selectman Fred Childs attributed some of the 35 cent increase in the town portion of the tax rate to a loss in car registrations.
"People aren't buying all the new cars they used to buy," Childs said.
Plaistow Town Manager Sean Fitzgerald said his town lost $50,000 in rent from the state for Plaistow District Court.
But the loss of revenue didn't come as a surprise. To make up for it, area towns trimmed their budgets as much as possible to keep the tax rate from rising even higher.
Atkinson and Plaistow both cut raises for all town employees. Childs said Atkinson took $480,000 from its fund balance to help lower the tax rate.
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