Greenfield is bracing for potential losses during this round of tax collection and may decide to delay certain projects after the July 15 deadline. “Depending on how strong the tax payments are in light of the current economy, the Board will make decisions about outstanding projects,” Town Administrator Aaron Patt said.
The Select Board is considering postponing expenditures approved at Town Meeting, including the final stage of paving East Road, purchasing a dump truck and a large amount of gravel. They are also considering withholding deposits to Capital Reserve accounts beyond December, which would require a special town meeting if the state doesn’t issue an exemption, they wrote in the June-July edition of the Greenfield Spirit. Tax Anticipation Notes may not be available this year, they cautioned residents.
“As it stands, the law requires the Board to raise the amount of taxes based on the budget that was passed at Town Meeting. Since the budget was prepared last year, and with the anticipation of a strong economy with robust revenues, the current situation is difficult,” Patt said, but it would still take some time before the town could make accurate predictions about their revenues this year. The New Hampshire Municipal Association petitioned the Governor to issue an emergency order allowing towns to address their budgets in light of the pandemic’s effect, he said.