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Residents question revaluation and tax bills as Budget Committee member resigns
Summary
At the Dec. 9 meeting residents raised concerns about the town’s recent revaluation, missing tax bills and the impact on elderly taxpayers; the board extended the tax due date and said it will advertise to fill a vacated Budget Committee seat.
Residents used the Select Board’s public-comment period on Dec. 9 to press the board for more transparency about revaluation and local tax increases.
Chris Hausfeld asked where the Unassigned Fund Balance had been used; meeting notes state the money was applied to a FEMA loan and that the Treasurer made the payment in January 2025. Sandi Pierson said she experienced “sticker shock” at her tax bill, criticized the revaluation process and said the elderly exemption was less favorable than in prior years. Pierson said she plans to request an abatement and expressed concern that Avitar—the town’s assessor—might be asked to perform abatement reviews after conducting the valuation.
The board had earlier extended the tax-bill due date to Dec. 26, 2025, citing postal delays after the Tax Collector reported callers missing bills as late as Dec. 8. The board also announced the resignation of Budget Committee member Bob Proulx, whose term runs to March 2026; the Select Board will appoint a replacement and asked Catherine Souza to advertise the vacancy.
The board reviewed the municipal budget through Nov. 30, 2025: $355,758.89 in expenses against a $431,174.00 budget (about 83% spent). Several residents urged people to attend budget meetings and the town deliberative session scheduled for Jan. 31, 2026 at 9 a.m.
What’s next: residents who plan to seek abatements should file per standard procedures; the board did not change assessor procedures at this meeting. The Select Board meets next on Dec. 16, 2025.
