Worcester Business Journal

wbjournal.com | November 4, 2019 | Worcester Business Journal 9 Window of Opportunity? We Can Make Everything Clear. Commercial real estate acquisition and development can be complicated. It takes a certain vision to see all the possibilities, and to anticipate any quandaries. At Fletcher Tilton, our experience and expertise provide the clarity you need so you'll be ready when that next window of opportunity opens up. Call Mark Donahue 508.459.8029 or Todd Brodeur 508.459.8038. Real Knowledge in Real Estate FletcherTilton.com WO RC E ST E R | F R A M I N G H A M | B OSTO N | C A P E CO D COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE | ACQUISITION SALE | FINANCING | LEASING | PERMITTING ZONING | CONDOMINIUMS M E T R O W E S T R E G I O N S stops along the way and hold for trains when weather impacts schedules, said Scully, who said the MWRTA has seen increased demand for these shuttles. Ridership of commuter shuttles from January through September was ap- proximately 27,611 riders, according to Scully. Community shuttles Individual communities and busi- nesses are also stepping up to address the last-mile issue. In 2014, Boston Scientific created a shuttle for workers in response to its move from Natick to Marlborough. It proved to be so popular the company added another in 2015. ese shuttles are set up like mobile offices, with wifi, coffee and bathrooms. In September, Marlborough launched its own commuter shuttle running to and from the Southbor- ough commuter rail station. e shuttle is an important way to retain businesses in the city, said Meredith Harris, Marlborough Economic De- velopment Corp. executive director. "We have worked hard to bring companies in, and now we have shi- ed to retention," said Harris. "We're trying to focus our energies on how do we make sure they are happy here and growing here." e free shuttle service runs from Commercial tax rate per Residential tax rate per Community $1,000 in assessed value $1,000 in accessed value MetroWest tax rates Natick .....................................................$12.71 ................................................ $12.71 Franklin .....................................................14.66 .................................................. 14.66 Ashland ....................................................16.28 .................................................. 16.28 Boxborough..............................................16.42 .................................................. 16.42 Southborough ..........................................16.74 .................................................. 16.74 Medway ....................................................16.97 .................................................. 16.97 Northborough ...........................................17.15 .................................................. 17.15 Hopkinton .................................................17.17 .................................................. 17.17 Wayland ....................................................18.28 .................................................. 18.28 Westborough ............................................18.33 .................................................. 18.33 Millis .........................................................18.70 .................................................. 18.70 Holliston ...................................................18.83 .................................................. 18.83 Acton ........................................................19.37 .................................................. 19.37 Sherborn ..................................................19.62 .................................................. 19.62 Stow .........................................................20.13 .................................................. 20.13 Bolton .......................................................20.47 .................................................. 20.47 Bellingham ................................................20.67 .................................................. 14.21 Sudbury ....................................................24.30 .................................................. 17.91 Marlborough .............................................24.95 .................................................. 14.07 Berlin ........................................................25.83 .................................................. 15.04 Littleton ....................................................28.27 .................................................. 18.24 Maynard ...................................................28.86 .................................................. 21.04 Milford ......................................................30.88 .................................................. 16.54 Framingham .............................................33.61 .................................................. 15.38 Hudson .....................................................34.10 .................................................. 17.03 Source: Mass. Department of Revenue Year Assessed value MetroWest's combined total property value 2013 .............................. $64,066,791,592 2014 .............................. $64,745,806,329 2015 .............................. $67,638,294,491 2016 .............................. $71,117,320,128 2017 .............................. $74,182,159,463 2018 .............................. $77,798,259,694 2019 .............................. $82,711,863,507 Source: Mass. Department of Revenue 5:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. and makes a total of six daily trips and stopping at Marlborough Hills and the Apex Center of New England. Not only does the shuttle, which is operating under a one-year pilot, help those commuting into Marlborough, but it helps with the first-mile commute of workers headed into Boston using public transportation, said Harris. "Closing that last-mile gap and that last-mile connection is a challenge for most communities in MetroWest. We don't have a lot of public transporta- tion options out here," said Harris. Continued on Page 10

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