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Voters reject plan to split property-tax payments into two installments starting 2026
Summary
Article 2, a proposal to move to two property-tax payments per year beginning in 2026, failed after debate about timing, interest on delinquent first payments, school-tax timing and administrative costs. Treasurer Gary said the Town was not ready; specific vote counts were not recorded.
Voters turned down Article 2, which would have changed property-tax collection to two payments per year beginning in 2026 (an October payment and a second payment six months later). Carroll Macie moved the Article and Jessica Simonds seconded. Debate focused on administration, the unknown school tax rate until June, and the risk that delinquent taxpayers could incur interest penalties on the first installment.
Treasurer Gary told the meeting he felt the Town was not ready to adopt semiannual payments and noted additional administrative work would be required. Supporters argued splitting the bill could make payments easier for some households and pointed to other towns that use the method; opponents raised concerns about interest accrual and timing with the school tax. The transcript records that the Article failed by a majority but does not include a roll-call or numeric tally.
