A Torrington resident told the City Council on Jan. 6 he received an assessment notice that prompted alarm and urged the council to examine tax impacts on elderly homeowners and others on fixed incomes. The resident, Jonathan Barber, also urged the council to remove fluoride from the municipal water supply.

“My name is Jonathan Barber. I just moved here about 2 and a half years ago,” Barber said during the public comment period. He told the council he is on a fixed income and said a tax assessment notice made him fear his taxes would nearly double. He said the increase could force him to move. Barber also said he had seen a documentary linking fluoride in water to health problems and asked the council to consider removing it from the water supply.

Council members responded to Barber’s concerns by explaining how the grand list and mill rate interact and by agreeing to provide more public information. A council member offered to meet with Barber and review his notice in detail. Councilwoman Rouet and others suggested holding an informational forum with the assessor and tax collector so residents can better understand assessment notices and appeal timelines.

Council members explained that an increase in a property’s assessed value (grand list) can allow a lower mill rate, but that the calculation and related state transition grants are complex. A council member said appeals of property assessments open in April; the mayor said the assessor had agreed to meet with the Board of Finance for a public conversation about assessment notices and that a separate community forum could be scheduled outside the council meeting.

On the fluoride concern, the council did not take action. A council member encouraged Barber to contact the mayor’s office to set a meeting so staff can review his questions and provide the appropriate technical information. The mayor and staff also noted that water‑system ownership and infrastructure questions are typically handled by the water utility and suggested Aquarion (referenced as the current system operator) could be asked to present to the council on infrastructure, lead/pipe inventories and customer communications.

Ending

The council directed staff to plan public information sessions with the assessor and tax collector about assessment letters and the appeals process and invited the resident to meet with staff to review his assessment notice. No formal action on water fluoridation was taken at the meeting.