In response to a couple inquiries received regarding the tax bills, I want to offer the following:

The municipal tax rate increased, mainly due to the flooding from July 2024 and road repairs that took place last year. In 2025 FEMA has reimbursed us nearly $876k, but that is for most of the work completed and submitted to date, including Smith Road. FEMA’s reimbursement is 75% of the actual costs submitted. The legislative body must vote at town meeting to determine where these reimbursement funds should be placed permanently. Until that happens, the reimbursement funds cannot be spent, and do not factor into this year’s tax rate.

The municipal part of the tax rate is less than a third of the total tax rate. The majority of the tax rate is for the education and county taxes. The municipal tax rate calculation is based on prior year (2024) expenditures and current year anticipated revenue (which, per DRA, excludes the 2025 FEMA reimbursement).

These funds and the possible use of the funds will be discussed in greater detail at our budget meetings and the budget hearing.