Trotland Select Board adopts single tax rate, declines three exemptions

The Trotland Select Board voted Nov. 18 to adopt a single property tax rate for fiscal year 2026, after the Board of Assessors reported a shift in the town’s valuation and presented rate scenarios.

An assessor told the board commercial, industrial and personal property now comprise about 36.5% of total valuation while residential property comprises about 63.5%—a meaningful change from roughly an 80/20 split five years ago. The assessors said a single‑rate scenario (adopting a factor of 1) would yield an estimated tax rate of $10.94 pending Department of Revenue approval.

Select Board member Speaker 5 moved to adopt the single rate; the motion was seconded and passed by voice vote. The board also voted down three optional actions offered by the assessors: the small commercial exemption, the residential exemption and an additional open‑space discount. Assessors advised the small commercial exemption requires advance implementation time; members said the residential exemption was not locally applicable and that many open‑space properties already participate in Chapter 61 programs.

The votes were taken at the public hearing the board opened as part of its agenda; the Board of Assessors was present to answer taxpayers’ questions. The board recorded voice votes of “Aye” and the motions carried as announced by the chair.

The board did not specify individual roll‑call tallies in the meeting record. The measures take effect subject to normal administrative steps and any required Department of Revenue approvals.