As reported on the telegram.com, based on a recommendation from Town Administrator Jim Malloy, the Sturbridge Board of Selectmen voted 4 - 0 to increase the residential tax burden to 79% in fiscal year 2009 .  According to the article, Jim Malloy stated:

The 79 percent tax shift translates to a 7.6 percent increase (or $269) for the average single-family home, a 6.7 percent decrease (or $854) for commercial property taxpayers, a 1.5 percent decrease (or $282) for industrial property taxpayers and a 17.4 percent increase (or $146) for personal property taxpayers.

This shift towards a higher burden for residential property taxpayers started 2 years ago when the Sturbridge BOS vited to increase the burden from 75% to 77% .  This was the result of the Sturbridge BOS decision to return to a single tax rate over the next 3 years.  The increase of the residential tax burden to 79% is in line with the single tax rate decision and for 2010 the tax burden will increase to 81.3%.