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Farmer urges study of municipal tax exemption; commission reports recommendation to Selectboard
Summary
A local farmer asked the commission to investigate a municipal tax-exemption program for farm buildings used in nearby towns. The commission said it has recommended the Selectboard consider an option to allow municipalities to opt into up to a $500,000 assessed-value exemption for farm buildings and will follow up at the July 15 Selectboard meeting.
At the meeting local farmer Ed I Russo urged the Agricultural Commission to study a municipal exemption program for farm buildings that a neighboring town recently adopted.
"Woodstock recently reduced the tax burden on farm buildings considerably to save farmers a lot of money and help farmers stay in business," Ed I Russo (S4) told the commission, describing the program as an example the town should consider. Commission members said they had already researched the issue and in the prior month formally recommended the Selectboard consider an option allowing municipalities to opt into an exemption of up to $500,000 assessed value for farm buildings.
The commission said it would continue the inquiry and expected the topic to be discussed at the Selectboard meeting on July 15. Members encouraged farmers to attend and offered to draft supporting materials and letters to help the Selectboard consider the policy alternative.
Why it matters: A municipal exemption for farm buildings would reduce property-tax burdens for farm structures and could help retain small producers, depending on the law’s design and whether the town elects to adopt it.
Next steps: The commission will refine its research and present findings or testimony to the Selectboard; no binding municipal decision was made by the commission at this meeting.
