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Board recommends selectmen consider joint bipartisan advisory committee to explore tax‑relief options after revaluation
Summary
After lengthy discussion about the recent revaluation’s impact, the Board of Finance recommended that the Board of Selectmen consider creating a joint bipartisan advisory committee (members from both boards) to research tax‑relief options and alternatives ahead of mill‑rate decisions.
The Woodbridge Board of Finance voted Feb. 19 to recommend that the Board of Selectmen consider establishing a joint bipartisan advisory committee composed of members of both governing boards to research and surface tax‑relief options following the town’s recent revaluation.
Board members said the committee would give officials more time and staff support to develop alternatives — including but not limited to expanded elderly or veterans relief, homestead‑type exemptions, or other targeted tax‑relief programs — before final mill‑rate decisions late in the budget cycle. Members noted legal constraints discussed with town counsel and said the committee would rely on staff research and the town attorney’s formal opinion on options such as homestead exemptions.
The recommendation passed by voice vote. The board discussed the committee’s scope, the need for staff support, and prior successful ad‑hoc efforts (noting past joint work that produced the town’s existing elderly‑relief ordinance). Members said they would ask the Board of Selectmen to charter the committee and to specify objectives (focus on tax relief and feasible measures) and time limits.
Next steps: the board will forward its recommendation to the Board of Selectmen for consideration; town staff and counsel will continue working on legal analyses and provide models from peer towns where similar measures have been used.
