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Mayor outlines fiscal priorities; council adopts three‑year phase‑in for revaluation increases
Summary
Mayor David Chess reviewed six months in office and outlined plans to stabilize the town's finances. The council adopted a three‑year phase‑in (33%/33%/34%) of assessment increases resulting from the Oct. 1, 2025 revaluation to ease homeowner burden.
Mayor David Chess used the council meeting on June 8 to summarize his first six months and the administration's fiscal strategy, including steps to moderate the immediate tax impact of a state‑mandated revaluation and to restore the town's general fund.
"The state mandated revaluation was devastating to homeowners, increasing the value of a home by 80% on average," Mayor Chess said, describing a large redistribution of the tax burden from commercial to residential property valuations. He said the council adopted a three‑year phased approach to lessen the immediate shock to homeowners and that the administration is exploring a limited homestead exemption.
On a separate agenda motion, Councilor William Boyd moved—and the council adopted—a resolution establishing a three‑year phase‑in of assessment increases resulting from the Oct. 1, 2025 revaluation, consisting of 33% of the increase in assessment years 2025 and 2026 and 34% in assessment year 2027. The motion was seconded by Phil Young and the resolution was adopted by voice vote.
Why it matters: Council and mayor said the combined measures—phase‑in, targeted senior/disability safety nets and a $100 residential sewer fee reduction—are intended to blunt the near‑term impact on homeowners while allowing municipal finances to stabilize. The mayor also said the town has allocated $2 million in the budget to begin replenishing depleted reserves and that the finance committee will study a homestead exemption proposal.
Other mayoral highlights included labor agreements under negotiation, a new police chief, restructuring EMS to produce revenue, investments in solar across town buildings, and near‑term capital projects including an arboretum and community garden.
Next steps: The council referred a limited homestead exemption proposal to the finance and audit committee for study and agreed to collect attestation forms to help the assessor identify eligibility for any future exemption; staff will return with fiscal analyses and implementation timelines.
Sources and attributions: Mayor David Chess’s remarks and the council’s roll‑call and voice votes are taken from the June 8 meeting transcript; the phase‑in resolution text and motion are recorded in the meeting minutes.
Ending: The phase‑in was adopted to provide immediate homeowner relief; the council and mayor said further analysis of targeted exemptions and long‑term fiscal plans will continue through the finance committee.
