Hebron — Members of the Town of Hebron Board of Selectmen on Sept. 25 pressed developers and town staff for more detailed fiscal information before deciding whether to grant a long-term tax abatement proposed for the 75‑unit DC Commons affordable housing project.

The discussion followed public comment from residents and project representatives who described state grants, planned rental-voucher support and a community well that they said depend on the project moving forward. Supporters urged the board to approve a tax abatement to make financing viable; several selectmen said they need clearer numbers on the project’s operating budget, long-term replacement reserves and the estimated tax impact on current residents.

Why it matters: The project is part of the town’s effort to increase affordable housing supply; it is tied to state funding and long-term restrictions requiring affordability for decades, and town support for a tax abatement could be a determinative factor for lenders and grant programs.

Project backers and public comments
Rob Manjifico, president of Common CDC, and other speakers described the financing package they are assembling and the state support that the development expects. Manjifico said the state will provide rental-assistance vouchers and other operating support and that lenders expect municipal cooperation. He told the board: “The state will also be providing support for the operation of the development through some rental assistant vouchers as well.”

Father Ron Kolonowski, representing St. Peter’s Episcopal Church (a project partner), said the project had secured $2,100,000 in state funding to build a community well, and warned that losing local support could jeopardize that grant: “Anything that puts this project at risk … means that we could lose the grama money as well.”

Resident supporters including Sue Spaldridge and Kevin Tullamary described local need for workforce and accessible housing and urged the board to approve a long-term abatement to allow the project to proceed.

What the board asked for
Selectmen asked for more concrete fiscal projections before making a commitment. Several members said the draft operating budget submitted with the project application shows a sizable annual shortfall and low reserves. Concerns raised by Selectmen included:
- a reported annual operating shortfall the developer has described (the budget submitted showed a shortfall in the neighborhood of $151,000),
- a replacement/reserve line the developers listed at $20,000 per year that several selectmen said appears insufficient for a building of the proposed size and lifespan, and
- uncertainty about how many Hebron residents (if any) would receive local preference in tenant selection.

Selectmen requested follow-up items: they asked the town assessor to prepare illustrative tax-impact figures based on the developer’s estimate of project cost (the applicant’s materials included a $12.5 million construction estimate), and they requested a workshop with Common CDC and the town to review the operating pro forma, proposed grant and voucher sources, and possible structures for a tax-abatement agreement that could adjust over time to reflect inflation.

Discussion, not a vote
The board did not vote on a tax abatement or make a formal commitment during the Sept. 25 meeting. Selectmen said they remain supportive of expanding affordable housing in principle but that they will not approve a long-term fiscal commitment without clearer evidence that the project’s operating plan and reserves are sufficient to avoid a future burden on taxpayers.

Next steps and timing
Developers described a construction timeline that could allow groundbreaking in late 2026 or early 2027 if funding is obtained; typical construction would take roughly a year from start of work. The board asked for an assessor analysis showing tax revenue scenarios and asked Common CDC to return for a dedicated workshop to walk through updated budgets and grant commitments before the board considers a formal abatement vote.

Ending: The board left the matter open for further review. Members said they will schedule additional information from the assessor and a follow-up workshop with Common CDC before any formal action on a tax-abatement request.