For Immediate Release - 18 September 2006

Phase-in a Win-Win for Hamden

Homeowners to save $20m, Town to earn $1m more

Hamden Homeowners for Tax Relief (HHTR) has not given up on the prospect of phasing-in the 2005 real estate revaluation. Today the group delivered a letter to Curt Leng, Chair of the Legislative Council’s Finance Committee, detailing several key developments that should lead the Council to reconsider and overturn its 12-2-1 decision against implementing the tax relief measure.

The letter to Chairman Leng highlights recent changes in state law that allow a phase-in to be extended to a term of five years, ensuring even greater savings for Hamden’s homeowners. HHTR had not previously highlighted this change to the law because, as originally enacted, the amendment affected only revaluations conducted in or after 2006. However, the State Legislature just recently “corrected” those changes to make them retroactive to 2005 revaluations such as Hamden’s. This simple change increases the possible homeowner savings under a phase-in from approximately $9.5 million to at least $19.4 million.

The HHTR letter also addresses the concern put forward by the Mayor’s Office, and endorsed by a majority of Council members, that a phase-in of assessments would reduce payments the Town receives under the State’s PILOT (“payment in lieu of taxes”) programs. Upon researching the matter, HHTR discovered that not only was the administration’s reading of the PILOT law incorrect, but Hamden would actually receive more PILOT funds with a simple phase-in than without one – providing over $1 million in additional non-tax revenue for the Town! Unlike many other suggestions discussed by the Town, this increased revenue would not come from Town residents’ pockets, and could allow Hamden to provide additional services or reduce taxes town wide.

Considering this new information, a 5-year simple phase-in is a huge “win-win” for the Town. With the delivery of this letter, the opportunity and responsibility is now in the hands of the Legislative Council and its Finance Committee. HHTR encourages fellow Hamden residents to call their representatives and demand a 5-year simple phase-in of assessments.

Press Contacts

If you have questions, please contact either Kelly McCarthy or Carol Christmas via our contact form.