The potential change to senior tax exemptions was a focal point of the meeting, with implications for the town’s budget and elderly population. The discussion centered on the financial impact of adjusting the age limit, as lowering it could increase the number of eligible residents. To account for this, the board voted to recommend an increased overlay amount for the fiscal year 2025 to $142,000. This adjustment aims to accommodate the anticipated rise in applicants for the exemption. Furthermore, the board decided to request that an article be placed on the annual town meeting warrant to address the proposed age limit change.

In addition to the senior tax exemptions, the board approved motor vehicle abatements totaling $1,257.73 across fiscal years 2023 and 2024, as well as a real estate abatement of $754.87 for 2024.

Another issue discussed was the tax payment schedule for solar farms within the town. The board engaged in a thorough debate on the structure of payment agreements, particularly the notion of front-loading the tax payments. This approach would ensure higher tax revenue in the initial ten years of the agreements with a subsequent decrease after the tenth year. The significance of this discussion lies in the balance between providing incentives for renewable energy projects and securing the financial interests of the town. The board expressed the need for a fair and transparent billing process that aligns with property values and tax rates. Ultimately, the board voted to approve the tax payment schedule for one of the solar farms, with plans to present it to the owner for review.

The session also addressed previous legal issues with a solar farm owned by ISM Sola.

During the meeting, the board recognized the importance of managing their administrative responsibilities efficiently, specifically the approval of past meeting minutes.

While the board discussed the full-time assessor’s contract, including the MLS license reimbursement, they decided to table the discussion to the next regular meeting. This decision underscores the board’s methodical approach to contractual matters and their willingness to gather additional information before proceeding.