Willington board agrees to joint meeting to reexamine commercial tax-stabilization plan

The Board of Selectmen agreed to help convene a joint public meeting to revisit a commercial tax-stabilization (tax-abatement) proposal after the Economic Development Commission asked the board to restart public discussion and education on the idea.

Matt, chair of the Economic Development Commission, told the board that Willington's grand list has been essentially flat and the town needs tools to attract development. He said one reason the earlier proposal failed at town meeting was public confusion over tiers and terms and concerns that the town would forgo revenue. "If we're going to compete with other towns, it... makes sense for us to put our best foot forward," Matt said, urging the town to consider incentives for energy or commercial projects.

Selectmen expressed support for holding an informational, joint meeting that would include the Board of Finance and, depending on availability, outside resources such as the Capital Region Council of Governments and Connecticut Conference of Municipalities (CCM) to answer technical questions. The board discussed inviting the town's financial advisor, tax assessor, or a commercial development expert to explain possible structures and trade-offs.

Board members emphasized that any joint meeting should be educational: "a first sort of joint meeting thing would be a great way to start, get the conversation going, maybe get a public Q and A going and try to get this," First Selectman Mike McCoo said. They tentatively discussed dates in June and asked EDC to propose specific dates and attendee lists. The board also asked staff to prepare outreach and suggested the planned postcard and a town Q&A session be used to publicize the event.

No ordinance or binding policy was adopted at the meeting; the board framed the next step as a public education session before any formal ordinance drafting or town-meeting action.