Select Board approves 20% tax exemption, 4-1

Select Board · Meeting of September 1, 2026

Chatham Select Board narrowly approves a 20% residential tax exemption, 4-1. Board members Stuart Smith, Dean Nicastro, Randi Potash and Chair Jeffrey Dykens voted yes at the September 1 tax classification hearing; Vice Chair Cory Metters cast the lone no vote, citing the exemption's exclusion of rental properties. Director of Assessors Candace Cook told the board 1,027 of roughly 3,000 eligible year-round homeowners have applied so far, with about 99 percent of trust-held applications qualifying.

The exemption cuts a $750,000 primary residence's tax bill by about $1,200 while raising the residential rate to $3.64 per $1,000, up from a flat $3.52. More than 20 residents spoke at the three-hour hearing, with summer-resident advocates calling the measure "divisive" and non-means-tested. Nicastro, who said he voted against similar measures 13 times over 12 years, broke from that record, arguing the enabling statute "has no means test" and exists to balance tax burden, not target need.

In the full story:

• Who Was There
• Organizations And Documents Referenced
• The complete report — 2,764 words

Source: the Select Board meeting of September 1, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.