Tax Classification Hearing

A public hearing on tax classification will be held Monday, October 3, 2016 at 7:00 p.m. in the Selectmen’s meeting room at the Town House.

Allocating the local property tax levy among the five property classes for Fiscal Year 2017 will be discussed.  A public hearing prior to the local determination of the levy percentages is one of the requirements of legislation relating to property tax classification.  The legislation also vests the local policy decision regarding the shift of the property tax burden from one class to another exclusively with the Board of Selectmen.

The hearing will give taxpayers an opportunity to present their views as to whether residential, open space, commercial, industrial and personal property should all be taxed at the same or different rates.  The Board of Assessors will provide supporting data relevant to the fiscal effects of available alternatives.

Selectmen will also be required to vote on the small commercial exemption.  Such an option, if voted, would in effect, reduce the property taxes on properties occupied by small businesses and shift those taxes onto other commercial and industrial properties.

After the hearing the Assessors will submit the recap sheet to the Department of Revenue for approval of the tax rate.