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Stonington board caps new veterans property-tax exemption at town median, sends related ordinances to Oct. 6 town meeting
Summary
The Board of Selectmen voted to cap the exemption created by Public Act 24-46 at Stonington’s median assessed residential value, citing large local fiscal impact; the board will send two related ordinances (including TDIU inclusion and Gold Star family provisions) to a special town meeting on Oct. 6.
The Stonington Board of Selectmen on Sept. 24 voted to cap a state-created property-tax exemption for veterans with service-connected total and permanent disabilities at the town’s median assessed residential value and to send two companion ordinances to a special town meeting on Oct. 6.
The board moved to set the cap after a lengthy discussion of implementation options and fiscal impact. Town staff told the board the statewide fiscal note for Public Act 24-46 was estimated at $4.9 million, while local estimates for Stonington have grown to more than $13 million. The board said the cap is intended to balance support for veterans with the town’s fiscal responsibilities.
A town official who reviewed the statute and local estimates told the board that the original state language left ambiguity for veterans rated under individual unemployability (TDIU) and that municipalities were authorized by subsequent legislation to adopt measures to limit costs. The board voted to include TDIU as an explicitly eligible category in the proposed ordinance to be considered at the town meeting and recommended also considering an option to extend the exemption to Gold Star families.
Eric, commander of the Mystic VFW, told the board he did not see an immediate adverse impact on veterans he represents but urged the board to leave options for review and resident input. "I don't see an impact on any of our veterans, either," he said, while adding the process should remain open to additional feedback.
Board member Debbie said she supported carrying the cap forward now to allow the assessor to finalize the grand list, while still preserving the ability for residents to petition a repeal. "I absolutely... think the cap is very important at this point because of the way the law was written and which was not the way it was intended," she said.
The board also confirmed that existing recipients of the exemption were notified by the assessor's office that the program was under review and that recipients had signed affidavits acknowledging the exemption could be changed. The board discussed outreach conducted with local VFW posts and the American Legion to solicit feedback.
The motion to cap the exemption carried unanimously. The board also voted to send two related ordinances to the special town meeting on Oct. 6 at Stonington High School: one to clarify inclusion of TDIU and the other to consider extending an exemption to Gold Star families. If 20 electors sign a petition, an ordinance adopted by the board may be placed before the electorate and reconsidered at a town meeting.
The special town meeting will be held Oct. 6 at 7 p.m.; the board said further outreach and press notices would be used to encourage veterans and residents to review the proposals before the vote.
