Town Hall · Bernardston

Bernardston, MA town hall & government

Bernardston spent $6.7 million in the year to June 30, 2022, about $3,186 per resident.

Where the money goes, where it comes from, property taxes, and how to reach Bernardston's government.

Town budget

Where Bernardston's money goes

Spent
$6.7 million
fiscal year to June 30, 2022
Per resident
$3,186
typical Massachusetts towns: $4,883
Long-term debt
$5,000
$2 per resident
Paid to other governments
$3.4 million52%
Roads & transportation
$1.2 million19%
Police
$288,0004%
Administration & buildings
$276,0004%
Fire
$271,0004%
Sewer & trash
$144,0002%
Health & welfare
$107,0002%
Parks & libraries
$80,0001%
Courts, inspections & corrections
$25,000<1%
Schools
$1,000<1%
Other
$782,00012%

Bernardston runs its own schools, so school spending is part of its budget. Comparisons are with other Massachusetts towns.

Where the money comes from

  • Property taxes 75%
  • From the state 13%
  • Interest, fines & other 11%
  • Sales taxes 1%
  • Fees & charges <1%
  • Other taxes & licenses <1%
Town workforce

Who works for Bernardston

Full-time staff
8
25 part-time too
Average full-time pay
$63,700
a year, before benefits
Sworn police officers
3
full-time, with power of arrest
Police
3 full-time4 part
Administration & buildings
2 full-time5 part
Roads & transportation
3 full-time2 part
Parks & libraries
0 full-time4 part
Sewer & trash
0 full-time2 part
Other
0 full-time8 part

Staff on the town's payroll in March 2022. Pay is March payroll times twelve, so it's approximate.

Schools · school year 2023–24

Pioneer Valley School District

Bernardston's K–12 school district, shared with Leyden and Northfield. The schools are run by Bernardston, so this money is part of the budget above.

Spending per pupil
$28,154
Massachusetts: $26,530
Students
616
in the whole district
Long-term debt
None
at year end

Where the district's money comes from Massachusetts districts overall: 49% local, 43% state, 8% federal

  • Local 55%
  • State 36%
  • Federal 9%

Of the $28,154 per pupil, $14,873 goes to classroom instruction (teachers, aides, supplies); the rest to support services such as buses, buildings, counselors and administration. Building projects and debt payments aren't in the per-pupil figure.

Property tax

What homeowners in Bernardston pay

Typical tax bill
$4,516
a year · Massachusetts typical $5,992
Effective rate
1.36%
of home value · Massachusetts 1.07%
Typical home value
$332,000
owner-occupied

The median yearly bill homeowners report, covering every local property tax on the home (town, schools, county). The effective rate is that bill divided by the median home value, so it's a rough guide, not the official tax rate. In a town this small the survey estimate has a wide margin.

Local

Contact Bernardston's government

🏛️ Official websitetownofbernardston.org ↗

Town hall & decisions in Bernardston →

Beyond town hall

Who represents Bernardston

Bernardston is represented in Congress by Senators Elizabeth Warren and Edward J. Markey and Representative James P. McGovern. Maura Healey is governor.

All of Bernardston's representatives, with contacts →

Budget: U.S. Census Bureau, 2022 Census of Governments: Finance (every city and town government's revenue, spending and debt, grouped into plain categories). Property tax: Census American Community Survey, 5-year estimates.

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Bernardston

Massachusetts · MA · Franklin County
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