From the Desk of Martha Shoemaker (5-16-25)

It is hard to believe that the Memorial Day weekend is only a week away.

I noticed recently that there has been some misinformation posted about the property taxes and the increased costs that some residents could see. I asked Assessor Melinda Kronfeld to provide our taxpayers with some valuable information that might help. If you need specific details for your property, please reach out to Melinda at EXT 218 or her Assistant Technician, Anita Lettieri, at EXT 219 and they will be glad to assist.

From Melinda Kronfeld

A property value of 200,000 in 2023 with a mill rate of 24.40 would yield a tax of 4880.00 if that property had an assessment increase of 52% which resulted in an assessment of 303,718 that same property based on a potential mill rate of 16.23 would be paying a tax of $4929. The difference year over year would be a 1.01% increase or $49.00.

Below is a table of the same property value in a range of assessment change scenarios. In the scenario below the increase of 347% would illustrate a vacant building lot in 2023 that has now had a new home constructed and sold on the open market at 1,354,800 prior to October 1, 2024.

Vacant land, new construction, renovations, and remodeled homes are represented in the higher % of increase on assessment for all properties.

property value increase table with example of a $200,000 property value

The Annual Town Budget Meeting will be on Monday, May 19^th at 7:30PM. We will vote on the town budget and five ordinances. The ordinances can be found on the Town Clerk’s web page. Immediately following the meeting, there will be a special Board of Finance meeting to set the MIL rate for next year.

After hearing concerns regarding a solicitor from Frontier, I reached out to our district sales office to confirm that they had a sales team in the area. Frontier confirmed that they had a contracted team in Old Lyme. I provided them with our rules regarding solicitors, and they decided to pull the team from our area until they had completed the permit paperwork. Please remember to ask anyone who arrives on your doorstep for their permit. If they cannot produce it, then they do not have one. If you have any questions, please reach out to my office.

The weather has been getting nicer and many residents are out walking. I would like to remind those of you who walk alongside the road to please wear bright colors or a reflective vest.

Have a wonderful weekend!

All my best,
Martha