A major focus was on the discrepancies in property values and their expected impact on taxation. The board acknowledged that many older homes had been benefiting from outdated assessments, leading to a significant gap between current market values and their assessed values. It was noted that properties initially assessed at $225,000 could be worth $350,000 or more in today’s market.

In response to these discrepancies, the board recognized the need for a public statement to address valuation issues, emphasizing transparency. A proactive communication strategy was suggested to inform the public once new valuations are determined. Utilizing local media, such as Channel 15, was proposed to facilitate this outreach. The board also considered the possibility of an active abatement season, allowing property owners to contest their assessments. A proposal was made to hold a special meeting where residents could ask questions and apply for abatements if they believed their property values were incorrectly assessed.

The discussion also focused on the broader implications of these property value adjustments. An 8% overall increase in values was anticipated, raising concerns about the budgetary impact. It was suggested that municipal budgets might rise substantially, prompting a participant to express skepticism about budget stability. This sentiment underscored the perceived need for the board to advocate for taxpayers amid expected dissatisfaction with significant tax increases.

A phased tax increase was proposed for properties with substantial value adjustments to mitigate the burden on taxpayers. This approach would gradually introduce increased taxes over one or two years. Additionally, the board discussed the importance of capturing unrealized gains from new construction and renovations, stressing careful tracking of permits to ensure accurate property valuations. The potential benefits of hiring an external data collection company to manage the workload effectively were also considered.

Budgetary considerations remained a prominent theme, with discussions on securing funding for these initiatives. The possibility of utilizing ARPA funds or seeking state recommendations for funding was mentioned, with the potential for new growth to compensate for initial costs. The board emphasized the importance of proactively addressing property valuation discrepancies rather than waiting for external pressures.

Transparency and communication with residents were recurring themes throughout the meeting. The board highlighted the need to keep the public informed about the property tax process and changes affecting them. Plans were made to address these issues directly with the community, including a scheduled talk at the senior center about tax exemptions and relief options. A PowerPoint presentation was to be prepared to clarify available tax relief programs, and the impact of the 41C income limits for senior tax exemptions was discussed.

The meeting also addressed the existing tax exemption guidelines for seniors and veterans, stressing the importance of educating the community about tax reduction opportunities, especially for those on fixed incomes. The board discussed the potential benefits of lowering the qualifying age for senior exemptions from 70 to 65, as adopted by other communities, though financial implications were considered. Improved communication efforts were emphasized, with suggestions for using the town’s Facebook page, local media, and collaborations with local banks and grocery stores to raise awareness.