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Property owner seeks deanexation; Berlin council open to study process
Summary
A property owner asked the council to begin deanexation of 9930 Deer Park Drive, arguing the parcel receives no town services while paying town property taxes; the council said deanexation is possible but will require charter amendment, public notice and a hearing, and staff will research the legal steps.
At the May 26 meeting a property owner asked the Berlin council to pursue deanexation for 9930 Deer Park Drive, an 8.707-acre parcel the owner said was annexed in 2000 but receives no town services. The owner said adding a small dwelling recently raised the property tax bill from approximately $1,400 to $6,700 and that about $3,000 of the increase benefits the town despite the lack of services.
Town attorney David G and staff described the likely process: a charter amendment and public-notice requirements with a public hearing are standard steps when removing property from town limits, and the town must research required procedures. Staff said the town is open to the idea and will perform the necessary legal work but cautioned that utility extension is not planned and that deanexation would change service assumptions.
Council members asked whether similar properties exist and noted precedent is limited; they also discussed the long-run potential for re-requesting services and noted any future requests for town services could prompt a revisit of terms. The council indicated no immediate objection to advancing research and directed staff to return with process details.
