Town Hall · New Salem

New Salem, MA town hall & government

New Salem spent $3.3 million in the year to June 30, 2022, about $3,161 per resident.

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

Town budget

Where New Salem's money goes

Spent
$3.3 million
fiscal year to June 30, 2022
Per resident
$3,161
typical Massachusetts towns: $4,883
Long-term debt
$439,000
$425 per resident
Paid to other governments
$1.7 million51%
Roads & transportation
$392,00012%
Administration & buildings
$221,0007%
Schools
$197,0006%
Police
$117,0004%
Fire
$95,0003%
Sewer & trash
$79,0002%
Parks & libraries
$77,0002%
Health & welfare
$51,0002%
Courts, inspections & corrections
$34,0001%
Interest on debt
$26,0001%
Other
$311,00010%

New Salem 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 64%
  • From the state 30%
  • From the federal government 3%
  • Sales taxes 1%
  • Fees & charges 1%
  • Other taxes & licenses <1%
  • Interest, fines & other <1%
Town workforce · Census estimate

Who works for New Salem

Full-time staff
3
60 part-time too
Average full-time pay
$84,000
a year, before benefits
Fire
0 full-time22 part
Administration & buildings
0 full-time20 part
Roads & transportation
3 full-time1 part
Parks & libraries
0 full-time7 part
Health & welfare
0 full-time5 part
Police
0 full-time5 part

Staff on the town's payroll in March 2022. Pay is March payroll times twelve, so it's approximate. New Salem didn't report its staffing to the Census Bureau, so these are the Bureau's estimates.

Schools · school year 2023–24

Ralph C. Mahar School District

New Salem's middle and high school district, shared with Orange, Petersham and Wendell. The schools are run by New Salem, so this money is part of the budget above.

Spending per pupil
$30,875
Massachusetts: $26,530
Students
504
in the whole district
Long-term debt
$350,000
at year end

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

  • Local 45%
  • State 50%
  • Federal 5%

Of the $30,875 per pupil, $16,631 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.

Also serving New Salem: New Salem-Wendell School District ($29,934 per pupil).

Property tax

What homeowners in New Salem pay

Typical tax bill
$4,509
a year · Massachusetts typical $5,992
Effective rate
1.26%
of home value · Massachusetts 1.07%
Typical home value
$359,000
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 New Salem's government

Town hall & decisions in New Salem →

Beyond town hall

Who represents New Salem

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

All of New Salem'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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New Salem

Massachusetts · MA · Franklin County
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