In today’s daily 5 Things You Need to Know feature, ThisWeekinWorcester.com explores five important items and stories that Worcester and Central Massachusetts residents should keep a close eye on.
These five things can cover a whole range of subjects and issues that we feel are pertinent to understanding what’s going on in the city and the cities and towns surrounding Worcester.
In today’s edition – Monday, November 22 – Worcester’s tax classification hearing is scheduled for November 30, the School Committee meets tonight to present the superintendent search timeline, the fourth public meeting on a district-based school committee election system is tonight, Glazy Susan’s Thanksgiving 4-pack is available for pre-order starting today and the Massachusetts Pirates are hosting an apple pie decorating contest tonight.
Worcester’s Tax Classification Hearing Scheduled for Nov. 30
The initial tax classification hearing for Fiscal Year 2022 will be held on Tuesday, November 30.
According to the City, Worcester had the 134th highest tax rate residential tax rate ($16.28/thousand) of the 351 cities and towns in Massachusetts in FY2021. Of the 26 gateway cities, Worcester’s residential tax rate was eighth highest and Worcester had the highest percentage of property value (27.12%) exempt from property taxes. Everett (22.78%) and Boston (23.35%) were next highest.
Worcester had the sixth highest commercial tax rate ($36.20/thousand) in the state in FY2021.
The tax tables will be attached to the Nov. 30 city council agenda for public viewing.
School Committee Meets Tonight to Present Superintendent Search Process
The Worcester School Committee will meet tonight at 5:45 p.m. to introduce and explain the process of searching for a new superintendent.
The school committee hopes to have a new superintendent selected early next year with a start date of July 1.
The meeting will be held virtually. To join the meeting on Zoom, click here. Use passcode 331220.
To join by telephone, dial: 301 715 8592 or 312 626 6799
Webinar ID: 864 6734 4681
Fourth of 5 Public Meetings on Future of School Committee Elections is Tonight
The city council’s Municipal & Legislative Operations Subcommittee will host five meetings across the city to discuss various electoral system options relative to a district-based system for electing members of the Worcester School Committee.
The fourth meeting is today — Monday, November 22 — at 6 PM at the Belmont AME Zion Church at 55 Illinois Street.
The current election system for school committee is an at-large format where six candidates get selected in a city-wide contest. The new proposed system will be one of three options, each of which include a district-based committee. Two options include representation from an at-large member.
For more information, click here.
Glazy Susan Thanksgiving 4-Pack Pre-Sale Starts Today
Ordering for Glazy Susan’s Thanksgiving-themed 4-pack will go live today — Monday, November 22 – at 9 AM until they sell out.
The 4-pack will be available for pick-up on Wednesday for pre-orders only.
The four donut flavors include apple pie, pecan pie, pumpkin pie and maple cinnamon roll.
For the pre-order link, check Glazy Susan’s Facebook or Instagram pages.
Massachusetts Pirates Hosting Apple Pie Decorating Contest Tonight
The Massachusetts Pirates are hosting an apple pie decorating contest tonight at Redemption Rock Brewing Co. on Shrewsbury Street in Worcester.
Participants will receive a pie tin, pie filling and crust to decorate at the event. The winning pie will win four tickets to a 2022 game of their choice.
The completed pies will be donated to local nonprofits and food pantries in the area after the contest.
The event is from 6 PM to 8 PM.
