Finance Board Approves Mill Rate, Firehouse

By Avice Meehan
Huddled in a rough circle moments after the conclusion of Norfolk’s May 12 annual town meeting, the Board of Finance (BoF) voted on two major actions: adoption of a new mill rate for the tax year beginning July 1 and a resolution approving a new firehouse.

The mill rate was set at $22.49 for the 2025-26 fiscal year. Member Jeff Torrant was the only no vote, consistent with his earlier votes and opposition to a $40,000 line item for maintenance of City Meadow.
The mill rate represents the amount of tax levied on a property for every $1,000 of assessed valuation to support the town’s net budget of $8.24 million. It is difficult to compare the rate to prior years because Norfolk underwent revaluation in the last year. The town’s grand list—or the value of all taxable property—increased to $366 million or nearly 30 percent from last year’s grand list of $282 million.

The BoF resolution for the firehouse authorized the $9.3 million project and set a ceiling of $3.8 million on town borrowing to build it. Michael Sconyers, BoF chair, said the number could go down if a federal grant is reinstated, but that it represented “the maximum town expenditure.” The vote was unanimous and paved the way for a special town meeting on May 15.