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Residents press council on pay raises, property assessments and protection of open space
Summary
Multiple residents urged the council to reconsider across-the-board pay raises, warned about rising property assessments and possible tax impacts on farmers and open-space parcels, and questioned the tax-class resolution; the solicitor/director clarified that valuation categories would not be changed by the resolution.
Coventry — During the undocketed public-comment period, residents urged careful fiscal stewardship and raised concerns about the potential effects of revaluation and tax-policy changes on households, farms and open space.
Britt asked the council to "take a measured and accountable approach" to proposed across-the-board pay increases, warning that cumulative raises could lead to significant tax pressure on families. James Potter and Stacy Nichols described examples of steep assessment increases and asked the council to consider whether reducing the residential rate should be on the table rather than shifting burdens to commercial taxpayers.
Samantha Sargent urged the council to reconsider resolution 2026‑46’s language and warned it could harm open-space and farm owners if misinterpreted. Director Sovetti responded at the meeting that the resolution does not alter valuation categories such as forestland or farmland and is intended to give the council flexibility to determine class apportionment during a revaluation year.
Council members acknowledged the concerns, told speakers the council would continue to review the budget and the resolution language, and encouraged residents to stay engaged as the process moves forward.
