Smithfield council adopts resolutions on paraplegic property exemption and tax-class flexibility; approves small abatement

The Smithfield Town Council on Tuesday adopted a pair of resolutions related to property tax policy and approved a one-off abatement of $205.05.

Council adopted a resolution asking the state General Assembly to enable a local exemption for people with paraplegia or quadriplegia who have modified their homes to accommodate disabilities. The sponsor said the change would mirror an approach used by North Providence and that the local ordinance later would specify eligibility and the exemption amount; the sponsor suggested matching the existing $250 disability exemption but said the exact figure would be set in a local ordinance following state enabling legislation.

Separately, the council approved a resolution seeking a change to state law that governs tax classification and reevaluation (discussed with references to "general law 44-3" and a separate chapter title read during the meeting). Tax assessor Chris Less explained the proposal would decouple the residential and commercial tax-rate formulas so the town could set rates independently when market forces cause residential values to rise faster than commercial values. Staff and council members said the change would not affect the current year but would provide flexibility in the next budget cycle to avoid shifting disproportionate tax burden onto residential property owners.

Finally, the council approved a $205.05 tax abatement that staff described as the final appeal adjustment of the year, a small correction resulting from an appeal process.