Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Taxation topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Torrington council approves larger farm‑building tax exemption; town assessor says five buildings affected
Summary
The City Council approved revisions to Chapter 187 to raise the exemption for buildings used exclusively in farming. Assessor Stacie Maldonado said the change would affect five buildings and cut annual property tax revenue by about $9,700 while materially aiding local farmers.
The Torrington City Council voted April 6 to adopt revisions to Chapter 187: Taxation — Article X, increasing the exemption for buildings used exclusively in farming.
Assessor Stacie Maldonado told councilors the change would affect five buildings in the city with a combined assessed value of roughly $504,000. "Currently each building receives a $50,000 exemption, totaling $250,000," Maldonado said. "The proposed increase would provide an additional $254,000 in exemptions." She said the change would reduce annual tax revenue by about $9,700 but provide a significant benefit to local farmers.
Councilor Anne Ruwet, who moved the ordinance, said she hopes the council will approve the change to better support farming in Torrington. The minutes record that Councilor Armand Maniccia and Councilor Ruwet were recorded as abstaining on the vote; the transcript language also uses the phrase "voted unanimously," which is inconsistent with the abstentions noted in the minutes.
The ordinance revises the local tax exemption schedule for farm buildings; the minutes do not specify an effective date or further implementation steps.
Mayor Molly Spino presided over the meeting. Additional questions about how the change will be implemented administratively were not detailed in the minutes and would typically fall to the Assessor's office and city finance staff to clarify.
