Residents urge council to review property revaluation amid steep tax concerns

Residents at Tuesday’s Hamden Town Council meeting pressed officials to scrutinize the town’s recent property revaluation and consider its effect on taxpayers.

"In recent years I've seen a 48% increase in my property taxes," said resident Ron Haidu, who gave his address and said he and his wife have lived in Hamden 37 years. He said a new revaluation combined with proposed mill rate changes could increase his taxes another "60% this year alone," and urged the council to examine valuation methods and timing before the tax commitment is finalized.

Haidu pointed to apparent errors in the reassessment software — for example, a fireplace credited to his property that does not exist — and questioned whether consultant land values reflect recent market softening. "My concern is some of the dollar numbers they're applying to those conditions," he said, urging the council to add the valuation to a future agenda and to consider the impact on retirees and others on fixed incomes.

During public comment, Linda Valcourt also raised budgetary pressures, citing department-level revenue shortfalls and saying the pool and recreation department are losing money. Valcourt said the pool is projected to lose roughly $50,000 next year under the provided figures and warned that continued operating deficits will increase pressure on taxpayers.

Councilors and staff did not take immediate action during the meeting but told commenters that reassessment follow-ups are part of the contractor’s contract and that residents may request reassessments under that contract. Councilors encouraged participation in the scheduled budget public hearing on June 15, where final budget decisions and mill-rate implications will be discussed.

Next steps: residents requested a focused council discussion of the revaluation before final tax commitment; no formal council action on the valuation was taken at the June 1 meeting.