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Willington EDC reopens tax-stabilization debate, members split on adding abatements
Summary
At its March 23 meeting the Willington Economic Development Commission agreed to pursue further legal review and a joint workshop with the Board of Selectmen after the town rejected a prior tax-stabilization proposal; members debated whether adding an abatement option would make projects viable or be perceived as a giveaway.
Matt Clark, interim chairman of the Willington Economic Development Commission, said the commission will seek legal review and meet jointly with the Board of Selectmen to advance a revised tax-stabilization ordinance after a prior proposal failed at town meeting.
The commission is preparing a packet of supporting ordinances and asked staff to confirm the statutory authorities that would allow the town to offer multi-year tax-stabilization agreements rather than immediate abatements. "I need to get permission to call the lawyer," Clark said, noting any counsel work could incur modest costs.
Why it matters: proponents say stabilization can make some development projects feasible by smoothing large, early tax burdens; critics at the earlier town meeting viewed the measure as transferring value to developers or expanding executive authority. Clark summarized the three main town concerns raised previously: it hands too much power to the Board of Selectmen, it amounts to a giveaway, and it increases government spending.
During the discussion, a commission member urged the group to consider abatement language because "generally there's something to be gained on behalf of the town"—jobs, housing or infrastructure—if abatement is structured against a measurable town benefit. Another member replied that opponents had described the proposal as a giveaway; Clark acknowledged the political sensitivity, saying he was unsure whether adding an abatement would make the measure more likely to pass.
Committee members discussed framing options for the public and town meeting, including preparing example projects from other towns that successfully negotiated stabilization or abatement agreements. One member recommended assembling project case studies showing the development value created, the structure of any abatement, and the town criteria that led to approval.
Next steps: the commission plans to compile a list of relevant ordinances and consult a lawyer before a joint workshop with the Board of Selectmen and other town boards (target dates were discussed). Clark said he wants the commission to present the policy and public education materials at that workshop so voters and board members can evaluate options before any formal warrant article is proposed.
The meeting did not adopt or vote on a final ordinance language; members agreed to continue discussion and to bring materials back at a future workshop.
