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Barre board adopts local law to override tax cap for 2026 budget
Summary
The Barre Town Board adopted Local Law No. 3 of 2025, overriding the statutory tax cap after issuing a SEQRA negative declaration; the board said the change is needed to adopt the 2026 budget.
The Barre Town Board on Nov. 12 voted to adopt Local Law No. 3 of 2025, a local law overriding the statutory property tax cap to allow adoption of the town’s 2026 budget. Chair John read a short environmental assessment and a negative declaration, and the board approved both actions.
John said during the meeting: "And now, therefore, it is resolved that the town board hereby approves and adopts the local law overriding the tax cap." The board recorded a unanimous voice vote in favor of adopting the negative declaration under New York State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA) procedures and then approved the local law. The short environmental assessment form used by the board showed answers of 'no' or 'small impact' for questions 1–11.
The board cited General Municipal Law §3‑c as the authority cited on the agenda to consider overriding the tax levy limit for the 2026 fiscal year. The vote will allow the town to move forward with an adopted budget that, according to the supervisor’s report, keeps spending below the year‑to‑date expected burn rate.
Board members did not present a detailed line‑by‑line change to tax rates at the meeting; the board said adoption of the local law was a procedural step necessary for budget adoption and that budget details will remain available in the town’s budget documents.
