Town Hall · Somerset

Somerset, MA town hall & government

Somerset spent $94.4 million in the year to June 30, 2023, about $5,172 per resident.

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

Town budget

Where Somerset's money goes

Spent
$94.4 million
fiscal year to June 30, 2023
Per resident
$5,172
typical Massachusetts towns: $6,187
Long-term debt
$50.4 million
$2,763 per resident
Schools
$46.8 million50%
Paid to other governments
$11.6 million12%
Water & other utilities
$5.9 million6%
Police
$4.1 million4%
Roads & transportation
$2.6 million3%
Fire
$2.5 million3%
Administration & buildings
$1.5 million2%
Parks & libraries
$963,0001%
Courts, inspections & corrections
$555,0001%
Health & welfare
$360,000<1%
Interest on debt
$56,000<1%
Other
$17.5 million19%

Somerset 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 56%
  • From the state 21%
  • Utility sales 11%
  • Interest, fines & other 9%
  • Sales taxes 1%
  • Fees & charges 1%
  • Other taxes & licenses <1%
Town workforce

Who works for Somerset

Full-time staff
456
103 part-time too
Average full-time pay
$68,100
a year, before benefits
Sworn police officers
38
and 34 full-time firefighters
Schools
314 full-time54 part
Police
38 full-time11 part
Fire
35 full-time
Administration & buildings
14 full-time12 part
Water & other utilities
14 full-time3 part
Roads & transportation
14 full-time
Parks & libraries
7 full-time10 part
Sewer & trash
10 full-time3 part
Health & welfare
4 full-time4 part
Other
6 full-time6 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

Somerset School District

Somerset's K–12 school district. The schools are run by Somerset, so this money is part of the budget above.

Spending per pupil
$21,641
Massachusetts: $26,530
Students
1,597
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 38%
  • State 54%
  • Federal 9%

Of the $21,641 per pupil, $14,461 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 Somerset: Somerset-Berkley School District ($20,982 per pupil).

Property tax

What homeowners in Somerset pay

Typical tax bill
$4,977
a year · Massachusetts typical $5,992
Effective rate
1.19%
of home value · Massachusetts 1.07%
Typical home value
$418,800
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.

Local

Contact Somerset's government

🏛️ Official websitetownofsomerset.org ↗

Town hall & decisions in Somerset →

Beyond town hall

Who represents Somerset

Somerset is represented in Congress by Senators Elizabeth Warren and Edward J. Markey and Representative Jake Auchincloss. Maura Healey is governor.

All of Somerset'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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