The Town of Wareham, as well as the two fire districts in town, will be holding tax classification hearings in the coming weeks to gain public input on the residential/commercial split of next year's tax rate.

Historically, Wareham has never adopted a split tax rate. At a candidates debate in March, Selectman Peter Teitelbaum said the town might begin to think about a split rate, which would lower the tax burden on homeowners and raise it for businesses, if business in town continues to grow.

"We've been advised you don't want to do this until your tax base is 80 percent residential to 20 commercial," he said. "We're coming up close. We're within a percentage point or two of getting there and, at that point, it's going to have to be a serious discussion."

He explained the tax rates should be the same until the 80/20 ratio is hit, to not discourage business.

The town will be holding its tax classification meeting at the Nov. 25 selectmen meeting at 7 p.m. in the Multi-Service Center.

The Wareham Fire District will hold its meeting on Thursday, Nov. 20 at 7 p.m. at the district office at 2550 Cranberry Highway.

The Onset Fire district will hold its meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 18 at 8:30 a.m. at the district office at 15 Sand Pond Road in Onset.

All hearings are open to the public and welcome public input both at the meeting and ahead of time in the form of writing to the district or town offices.