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Stratford selectmen read 2025 warrant; residents say state valuation is driving higher education-related taxes
Summary
At a Feb. 5 budget hearing at Fuller Town Hall, Stratford selectmen read the 2025 Town Meeting warrant. Two residents said state valuation and county tax changes are increasing local education-related taxes; the moderator said the selectboard cannot control state or county funding and urged residents to attend school board meetings.
Stratford selectmen opened a Feb. 5 budget hearing at Fuller Town Hall by reading the 2025 Town Meeting warrant and announcing meeting logistics for March 11 and March 15.
The warrant lists a proposed operating budget of $997,174 and 18 additional articles, including a $500 request for a Municipal Solar Capital Reserve Fund and a $60,860 proposal for Bog Road infrastructure improvements. The warrant also contains two petition articles: one asking that any town expenditure of $25,000 or more not included in the annual budget be presented to residents before the expenditure, and a second petition asking the Selectboard to move its regular meetings from 3:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. to make meetings more accessible to working residents.
After reading the articles, the Selectboard began a line-by-line review of the MS-636 budget form and invited public questions. Residents Christopher Caron and Brian McMann raised concerns that the state pays little for land it owns and that Stratford is being penalized in school funding because property values are not sufficiently recognized. They asked how the Selectboard planned to address what they described as an uptick in taxes tied to state valuation.
Moderator Jamie Sayen responded to the public speakers by saying "this is nothing that the selectboard can control," noting that school and county budgets also contribute to rising taxes. He encouraged residents to attend school board meetings and vote, saying residents "need to go to the school board meetings and vote accordingly," and thanked town administration for its work.
No changes to the warrant were made at the hearing. The Selectboard recessed business after the public exchange and, at 6:43 p.m., Charles Goulet moved to adjourn; Harry Juergens seconded and the motion passed 3–0. The warrant maintains the March 11 and March 15 dates for Town Meeting and article consideration; Article 1 voting will occur by official ballot on March 11, with polls open 10 a.m.–7 p.m.
