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Selectmen ask statute review after assessor outlines homestead exemption tradeoffs
Summary
Assessor Penny Mudgett outlined how New Milford implemented a homestead exemption limited to primary residences, including staffing and two filing periods; selectmen agreed to review the statute before further consideration for Litchfield.
Assessor Penny Mudgett explained New Milford is currently the only nearby town that has implemented a homestead exemption and that New Milford limits the exemption to the house to promote equity and uses two filing periods. "New Milford applies the exemption only to the house to ensure equity among homeowners and has two filing periods," Mudgett said.
Mudgett and Administrative Assistant Haley Whipple warned Litchfield would face administrative work and possible staffing needs; Whipple noted New Milford hired two additional assistants to handle the workload. Selectmen expressed sympathy for older residents and those on fixed incomes; Selectman Dan Morosani estimated a 15–20% annual tax discount for affected properties but the board agreed to do a statute review before pursuing implementation.
Why it matters: a homestead exemption could reduce property tax burdens for primary homeowners, particularly elderly or fixed‑income residents, but would require administrative resources and local policy decisions about eligibility and filing periods.
