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Putney board hears options to ease tax burden, 23 certified delinquency notices sent
Summary
Town Manager reported 23 certified letters were sent to property owners delinquent one year or more totaling $132,465.89; Selectboard members discussed local options to ease taxpayer burden and agreed to schedule a special public meeting to explore them.
The Putney Selectboard on Sept. 18 heard that 23 certified letters had been mailed to property owners delinquent one year or more, representing total delinquent taxes of $132,465.89. Town Manager Karen Astley told the board the tax sale process can proceed if owners do not respond to notices.
During public-comment and board discussion, Selectboard member Peg Alden thanked organizers of a recent tax‑information event and said some relief ideas were suggested. Alden said several options would require legislative change but that the town can still pursue local measures; examples raised by the board and members of the public included increasing the number of payment installments to four and adopting a graduated late‑payment penalty to soften impacts on taxpayers. The board agreed to place a special public meeting on a future agenda to explore local options.
Resident Emily Peyton interrupted during the agenda to complain about how comment opportunities were being handled, saying, "we are not the public, we the people," and told the board she felt disrespected; the chair noted an apology had already been issued at a prior meeting.
The town manager also briefed the board on budget planning and audit timing; the auditor's preliminary review was positive and the town should expect a draft audit by mid-October. The board set its next meeting for Oct. 1, 2024.
