Around New England

Western Massachusetts Town Pushing State’s First Tax on Recreation

March 19, 2018

The town of Charlemont in Franklin County is pushing the state Legislature to approve a bill that would allow the town to tax  recreation.

It would be the first tax on recreation in the history of Massachusetts if the bill is approved.

Charlemont, a town of about 1,300 residents about 18 miles west of Greenfield along Route 2, has skiing, zip lining, whitewater rafting, kayaking, tubing, mountain biking, and guided fishing trips that could be subject to the tax, according to MassLive.com.

Town officials say they are having trouble paying for local government services and that a 3 percent tax on commercial recreational activities that occur there would help.

Town Meeting voters approved the idea in 2016, according to MassLive.com. But the town needs approval from the state Legislature in order to implement the tax.