The Town of Plymouth Select Board voted unanimously on Nov. 18 to adopt a unified FY26 tax rate of $12.55 per $1,000 of assessed value and to decline the residential exemption and small‑commercial exemption options presented by the Assessor’s Office.

Michael Horian, the town’s Director of Assessing, presented the tax‑classification hearing and laid out values, averages and medians supporting the recommendation for a unified rate. "We are proposing a unified tax rate for fiscal 26 at $12.55 per thousand," Horian said, and walked the board through five‑year valuation trends, class breakdowns and the impacts of shifting tax burden between residential and commercial classes.

The presentation noted Plymouth’s heavy residential share of total valuation (about 86 percent) and projected FY26 effects under several shift scenarios. Horian explained the mechanics and break‑even point for a residential exemption using FY25 numbers (break‑even value: $671,962), and cautioned that adopting residential exemptions or a significant shift would place proportionally larger burdens on a relatively small commercial tax base.

Board members raised concerns about housing affordability, economic development and the distributional effects of a split rate. Select Board member Mister Canty said shifting the tax burden onto a small commercial base could harm efforts to attract and retain businesses. "Making it harder to open a business or keep a business open by having a split tax rate is counterproductive," he said.

Following discussion, Mister Canty moved that the board adopt a unified tax rate and not adopt the additional exemptions described; Miss Iaquinto seconded. The board recorded unanimous support for the motion. The Assessor’s Office noted the FY26 levy used in calculations: $1,939,026.32.

Staff said they will provide additional supporting materials as requested and that the board can revisit exemption questions in future budget cycles if conditions change.

This action implements the assessor’s recommendation for the tax policy used in setting the FY26 rate and directs town staff to finalize the tax‑rate recapitulation with state authorities.