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Scotland schedules special meeting on proposed regional tax-collection agreement with Canterbury and Hampton
Summary
Scotland officials heard a NECCOG presentation on forming a regional tax-collection office to replace service from Windham, received a preliminary first-year cost estimate of about $44,365 without grant support, and voted to call a Special Town Meeting April 14, 2026 to consider an interlocal agreement.
First Selectman Dana Barrow Jr. presided over a March 17, 2026 Board of Selectmen meeting where Jordan Lumpkins, town administrator for the Northeast Connecticut Council of Governments (NECCOG), proposed an interlocal tax-collection arrangement that would consolidate Scotland’s tax collection with Canterbury and Hampton.
Lumpkins said the proposal arises from service shortfalls in Windham and that Canterbury, with the addition of one staff member, had signaled capacity to accept Scotland and Hampton into a regional model. He presented a preliminary first-year cost estimate of about $44,365 without grant funding and outlined a staffing plan that would add one full-time position to support the expanded service area.
Lumpkins described applying to the Regional Performance Incentive Program (RPIP) to offset start-up costs. He noted the RPIP can fund a portion of regional efforts; the presentation included a projected, illustrative cost-sharing schedule showing larger grant coverage in the first year (presentation listed Year 1: 75% grant-funded; Year 2: 50%; Year 3: 25%), but Lumpkins also referenced the RPIP program parameters earlier in the presentation, including that RPIP typically funds up to 50% of eligible costs. The 75% figure was presented as a projection for budgeting, not an approved award.
After discussion with residents and board members, Selectman John Aldrich moved to call a Special Town Meeting on Tuesday, April 14, 2026 at 7:00 p.m. for the purpose of considering an Interlocal Tax Agreement between the Towns of Canterbury, Hampton and Scotland. Selectman Michael Gurnack seconded the motion, which carried.
Next steps the board identified were pursuing an RPIP application, verifying equipment ownership that could offset startup costs, and preparing the interlocal agreement language and cost estimates for presentation at the special meeting. No final interlocal agreement was adopted at the March 17 meeting; the matter will go to voters at the Special Town Meeting.
