Selectmen Say "No" to Tax Freeze Program; Enhance Existing Programs

The Board of Selectmen and a committee formed to review a proposed tax freeze program decided to pass on the freeze program, calling it potentially too costly to the town.

"The (tax freeze) program was something the committee couldn't recommend," said Selectman Lynn Pinder, also a member of the Tax Relief Programs Committee.

Clinton Tax Collector Melanie Yanus, also on the committee, said there's no data that shows how many residents would qualify for the program, which must be funded correctly and has other limitations and regulations.

"We don't have a handle on how many people could apply for the program," said Yanus.

Other committee members include chairman Len Fried; Brian Manware of the Clinton Volunteer Fire Department (CVFD); Assessor Donna Sempey; and former selectman and Guilford Tax Collector Dolly Mezzetti.

The committee reviewed Guilford's existing tax freeze program, which in essence "freezes" your current tax amount from year to year.  If one qualifies for the program (there are income levels, residency requirements, etc.) what you pay in annual tax, say $4,000 a year on your house, stays the same each year until you leave that home, make certain improvements to the home, die, or no longer qualify for the program.

The Board of Selectmen voted to not pursue the tax freeze program for the town.

The town of Clinton has three existing tax ordinances on the books:

1. The Volunteer Fire Department Tax Exemption Program

2. The Town Benefit Tax Program

3. The Town Tax Deferral Program for the Elderly and Disabled

The CVFD tax exemption program, which gives qualified fire department volunteers in good standing up to a $1,000 break on their automobile or house taxes, will remain the same. It will be extended one year and amended to reflect the Grand List of October 1, 2012.

The income level on the Benefit Tax Program was increased from $55,000 to $60,000 annually. The maximum benefit increased from $500 to $550. The selectmen voted to increase the funding for the program from $130,000 to $180,000.

The Tax Deferral program's income level was also increased from $55,000 to $60,000 a year. The maximum benefit of this program remains at $5,000.

There is a public hearing to accept public comment on the proposal to amend the three ordinances on Wed., March 27 at 6:30pm at Andrews Memorial Town Hall in Clinton.