The council’s decision to allocate $197,000 for emergency repairs to the Mill Street Dam was driven by the discovery of structural vulnerabilities. During inspections, a 10-foot by 10-foot gap was identified, escalating the situation to an emergency status. An engineer elaborated on the critical condition of the dam, emphasizing the risk to underlying water and sewer infrastructure if the dam were to be removed entirely. The potential exposure of silt layers would necessitate expensive solutions, likely involving pump stations. Consequently, the current plan involves a partial removal engineered to lower the dam by several feet, rather than a complete dismantling.

An executive director from the Connecticut River Conservancy joined the discussion. Despite uncertain funding for future projects, these immediate repairs were deemed essential for maintaining the dam’s stability. The council also addressed inquiries about the impact of these repairs on the Mill Street Bridge project, clarifying that both initiatives are independent and will not interfere with one another.

The council then turned its attention to the appropriation of $150,000 for the public safety data center. This request had previously been withdrawn during budget deliberations, but the need to update outdated technology and equipment was characterized as urgent. The council unanimously approved the funding, acknowledging the necessity of expediting the process to prevent further delays in the data center’s operations.

In fiscal matters, the council deliberated on the tax classification for fiscal year 2025. The chief assessor presented an update, noting no substantive changes since prior meetings. The council decided to adopt a single tax rate for all property classes, opting against additional exemptions for small businesses or residential properties. The estimated tax rate stands at 1995, with a commitment to ensure data accuracy before finalization. Challenges were noted due to staffing losses in the assessor’s office, with errors in presentation materials acknowledged and a corrected version promised for an upcoming hearing.

The council also addressed concerns raised by residents about recent increases in property values and their tax implications. It was noted that the average tax bill saw a minor increase, from $5,633 to $5,750, equating to less than ten dollars per month. Efforts to minimize the impact on residents while aligning with market values were highlighted, with a council member emphasizing sensitivity to inflation and community feedback from the last abatement season.

To further engage residents, an “Ask the Assessor Night” was planned for mid-January, providing an opportunity for community members to interact directly with assessors. This session aims to clarify tax bills and processes, coinciding with the period for applying for tax abatements. A council member highlighted the strategic timing of this initiative.

The topic of a split tax rate was also discussed, with inquiries about the implications of different factors on residential and commercial tax rates. The council addressed these inquiries by detailing the potential effects of factors 1.1 and 1.2 on the rates.