Torrington council debates phased tax implementation; joint meeting with board of finance ordered after 5‑year phase‑in motion fails

Torrington — The Torrington City Council spent more than an hour Monday evening reviewing options to ease the immediate property tax impact of the city’s 2024 grand‑list revaluation, then voted down a motion to adopt a five‑year phase‑in and directed staff to convene a joint meeting with the Board of Finance to reach a decision.

The discussion followed two public comments urging a multi‑year phase‑in rather than tapping the city’s reserve. “I do not support using any of our rainy day fund,” said Veronica Gelermino of 37 Water Street, who urged the council to adopt a multi‑year phase‑in and avoid drawing down reserves. Christine Altman of 111 Edward Avenue also spoke in favor of a three‑ or five‑year phase‑in to avoid abrupt tax increases.

Why it matters: The revaluation raised assessed values across residential property, producing a large shift in the tax base that, without action, would require a much higher mill rate to fund the fiscal year 2025 budgets. Council members and staff said the options are to (a) implement the full grand list immediately, (b) phase increases in over 2–5 years under state statute, or (c) use one‑time reserves and other revenues to smooth the impact. Each approach…