Townshend Select Board sets 2027 municipal and education tax rates

The Townshend Select Board voted to set component tax rates for 2027 after clarifying how municipal, education and local-agreement figures are applied on individual tax bills. Committee member 3 moved to amend the original motion to list the four rates explicitly: nonhomestead education 1.9889, homestead education 2.0815, municipal 0.9144 and local agreement 0.0019; Committee member 6 seconded. The motion passed on a 4-0 voice vote.

Board members had debated whether municipal and the local-agreement figures should be added to both homestead and nonhomestead education columns or recorded separately and applied per the state's billing categories. The Chair noted the scale of the change: "I guess we should note that the municipal tax rate increased by 9 cents, and the education tax rate increased by 5¢." Committee member 4 explained the practical impact on a local taxpayer: "if it's a 9¢ increase, it's, about 90¢ on every thousand dollars of value is the is the increase." The board asked staff to confirm the final presentation for the tax bills; staff (Darlene) later confirmed the components are added in the manner the board discussed.

Why it matters: voters and taxpayers will see those component rates on their tax bills and the combination of municipal, education and local-agreement charges will determine the total tax due. The board discussed shortfalls and special-article spending that contributed to the need for higher rates and emphasized that timely confirmation with staff is necessary to avoid delays in mailing bills.

The formal action recorded was an amendment to specify rates and a vote in favor. The Chair declared the meeting adjourned at 6:40 p.m.