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was significantly impacted by a new subdivision. This year’s growth is made up of a combination
of new construction, additions, and miscellaneous building improvements.

New home construction is a major contributor to new growth. The number of new home
permits has increased slightly over the past few years and has remained steady for Fiscal Year
2015 when compared to Fiscal Year 2014.

Fiscal Year New Home Permits
2005 12
2006 9
2007 4
2008 5
2009 3
2010 3
2011 2
2012 4
2013 4
2014 7
2015 7

After a review of home sales that occurred during 2014, the Board determined that
property valuations increased approximately three percent from the prior year. The average
residential property assessment for Fiscal Year 2016 is $590,000, an increase from the Fiscal
Year 2015 average residential property assessment of $574,000. The 2016 tax rate was set at
$16.46 per thousand of assessed value, an increase of about three percent from last year. A total
of 3,057 real and personal property tax bills were issued for Fiscal Year 2016.

As in previous years, the selectmen voted a multiplier of 1 for all commercial and
industrial properties, meaning their tax rate stays the same as residential. The town relies heavily
on individual homeowners for tax revenues as residential properties account for over 96 percent
of all properties.

The assessors recognize that the requirement to follow specific state revaluation
regulations creates a hardship for some residents, particularly the senior population. The
assessors continue to work with the Council on Aging to ensure that all seniors are familiar with
any and all tax lowering programs that are available to them.

In Fiscal Year 2015 (prior year), of the 3,054 real and personal property tax bills that were
issued, only 15 resulted in abatement filings. The percentage of abatement filings was less than
half a percent. Approved abatements resulted in nine valuation changes and a $6,471 reduction in
taxes. The board granted 59 personal exemptions totaling $104,457 in reduced taxes to qualified
homeowners based on age, financial condition, blindness or veteran’s service connected
disability. The board also granted 29 Community Preservation Surcharge abatements due to age

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