Buckland OKs Select Board to Negotiate Hydro Tax Deals
Buckland's Special Town Meeting authorized the Select Board to negotiate payment-in-lieu-of-taxes deals with hydroelectric facility owners. Town official Ms.
Town Meeting · Meeting of July 21, 2026
Buckland's Special Town Meeting authorized the Select Board to negotiate payment-in-lieu-of-taxes deals with hydroelectric facility owners. Town official Ms. Guyette, a former assessor, said the agreements would give Buckland "a more stable and predictable revenue source" and shield it from costly Appellate Tax Board appeals, pointing to neighboring Erving, Shelburne, Gill and Northfield as towns pursuing similar deals.
Resident Mr. Smith countered the board needed authorization "or they didn't negotiate in good faith," and the article passed by card vote with some opposition, count unannounced. Town meeting also unanimously appropriated close to $300,000 tied to a prior override for regional school budgets, approved the technical school's operating assessment, and corrected a $30,000 spreadsheet error in the wastewater treatment enterprise fund's budget.
In the full story:
- Who Was There
- Organizations And Documents Referenced
- The complete report — 2,202 words
Source: the Town Meeting meeting of July 21, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.
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