Potential tax hike stirs concern among Hamden residents

A proposed budget for the town of Hamden includes a tax hike to address increased medical expenses and debt service payments.

Hamden already has the fourth highest mill rate in the state. Under Mayor Lauren Garrett’s proposed budget, the mill rate would increase by 3.68 to 56.12.

“Property taxes have always been high in Hamden,” said Hamden resident Edward Bartolini on Facebook. “The property owner has suffered for over forty years by paying more to live in this town. Why must there be such a disparity between North Haven?”

The mill rate in North Haven is currently 30.71. Mill rate defines the amount of tax per dollar of an assessed value on a property.

In her memorandum to the Legislative Council on March 16, Garrett said that the budget increase, and resulting tax increase, is necessary due to the failure of previous administrations.

“The previous mayor and council underfunded medical (expenses) in the last budget,” Garrett wrote. “That expense is projected to run over budget this year and projections for next year have increased.”

The budget totals $278 million, an increase of $15.8 million from the previous year. Garrett provided funding for six new government jobs.

“I’ll keep it short: no new positions except for the accountant and tax assessor,” said Christina Crowder at a March 28 public hearing. “Let me say it again — no new positions that are not directly related to accounting and tax collections.”

These positions include a deputy tax assessor position as well as a new arts, culture, recreation and wellness director.

Some residents were more sympathetic to the mayor’s efforts.

“Rather than shoot the messenger(s), we must accept that we simply don’t have the revenue to support our much appreciated public services,” said Stocky Clark at the public hearing. “We must welcome and study suggestions for restructuring our government services, while also

updating these services to reflect current needs.”

Copy Written by Emily Disalvo