Petersham, MA town hall & government
Petersham spent $5.5 million in the year to June 30, 2022, about $4,443 per resident.
Where the money goes, where it comes from, property taxes, and how to reach Petersham's government.
Where Petersham's money goes
Petersham 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 45%
- From the state 42%
- From other local governments 7%
- Interest, fines & other 2%
- From the federal government 2%
- Fees & charges 1%
- Sales taxes 1%
- Other taxes & licenses <1%
Who works for Petersham
Staff on the town's payroll in March 2022. Pay is March payroll times twelve, so it's approximate. Petersham didn't report its staffing to the Census Bureau, so these are the Bureau's estimates.
Ralph C. Mahar School District
Petersham's high school school district, shared with New Salem, Orange and Wendell. The schools are run by Petersham, so this money is part of the budget above.
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 Petersham: Petersham School District ($20,895 per pupil).
What homeowners in Petersham pay
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.
Contact Petersham's government
Who represents Petersham
Petersham is represented in Congress by Senators Elizabeth Warren and Edward J. Markey and Representative James P. McGovern. Maura Healey is governor.
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.