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Select Board backs tax‑exemption increase, supports broker‑fee ban; floodplain map update deferred
Summary
At its March 25 meeting the Select Board voted favorable action on a permanent doubling of certain property tax exemptions, supported a state ban on forced broker fees for renters, and reconsidered a previously favored article on municipal hearing officers. The board deferred a final vote on FEMA flood‑map updates to allow more time for review.
The Select Board took several advisory votes and held public hearings on warrant articles that will be before Town Meeting.
Tax exemptions: The board voted favorable action on a warrant article that would permanently accept state authority (chapter 59, section 5C 1/2) allowing the town to double certain property tax exemptions for qualifying veterans, seniors, and other categories. Town staff said the change would make the annual doubling automatic rather than requiring a yearly Town Meeting vote. The board’s favorable action means the article will appear on the warrant with a Select Board recommendation.
Flood maps (Warrant Article 12): Town staff presented required updates to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) flood insurance rate maps and a related zoning and general‑bylaw amendment to designate a floodplain administrator and incorporate the new maps (effective 2025‑07‑08). The board heard planning and DPW staff explain the map changes and the need to adopt model floodplain language to remain eligible for the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Select Board members discussed the technical and procedural detail and asked staff for time to digest the proposed bylaw language; the board elected not to finalize a recommendation at the March 25 meeting and asked staff to return with a clearer memorandum and redline in time for Town Meeting debate.
Brokers’ fees (Warrant Article 26): The Select Board voted to endorse a petition urging the state Legislature to ban forced tenant payments of brokers’ fees (a measure included in the governor’s FY26 budget and similar bills filed at the State House). The board’s favorable action asks the town’s legislative delegation to support the ban, which would require the party that hires a broker to pay brokerage fees rather than allowing landlords to condition lease offers on tenant payment.
Other warrant items: The board recorded a reconsideration and then a no‑action recommendation on a previously favored warrant article (Article 11) at the petitioner’s request so the item can be reworked and considered in the fall. The board also heard presentations on an advisory petition for a municipal real estate transfer fee (home rule petition) and on a proposed update to bicycle‑parking zoning requirements; both were presented and discussed but not voted on at the Select Board meeting.
The Select Board’s advisory recommendations will be published in the usual warrant and committee reports ahead of Town Meeting.
