Farmington Council Expands Veterans Tax Exemption

Town Council · Meeting of October 13, 2026

Farmington Town Council voted unanimously to expand a property tax exemption for disabled veterans. The amendment to Town Code Chapter 176 extends relief to veterans the VA rates as totally disabled due to individual unemployability, even below a 100 percent rating; staff said about four residents would qualify, representing roughly $9,900 in unreimbursed tax revenue. The council also awarded a $295,875 contract to Hinding Tennis LLC to rebuild basketball courts at Tunxis Mead Park under a $1 million state grant, and Town Manager Kathy and Director of Finance and Administration Joe Swetky reported fiscal 2026 closed with a $1,103,551 positive result, lifting the unassigned fund balance to $27,756,284.

The council also approved a three-year Farmington Administrators and Supervisors Association contract with 3 percent raises, 6-0, with member Keith recused. Registrars of voters floated consolidating the spring referendum to one polling site, projecting savings "over 63 percent."

In the full story:

• The complete report — 1,056 words

Source: the Town Council meeting of October 13, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.

The Full Article

FARMINGTON — October 13, 2026 — The Farmington Town Council voted unanimously Tuesday to expand a property tax exemption for disabled veterans, extending relief to those the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs rates as totally disabled due to individual unemployability, even when their official disability rating falls below 100 percent.

The council also awarded a $295,875 contract to rebuild basketball courts at Tunxis Mead Park, funded entirely by a state recreation grant, and reviewed a town finance report showing fiscal year 2026 closed with a $1,103,551 positive result, pushing the town's unassigned general fund balance to $27,756,284.

The Full Story

The veteran tax exemption amendment updates Town Code Chapter 176, Article 6. Connecticut law already exempts veterans who are 100 percent permanently and totally disabled from property tax on their dwelling or car, and extends that relief to surviving spouses. The new ordinance language adopts a local option under state law, Connecticut General Statutes Section 12-81-pp, letting veterans with a lower disability rating but an individual unemployability determination qualify for the same break. Town staff told the council that based on the 2025 grand list, four Farmington residents would qualify, with a combined assessed value of $359,720, representing about $9,900 in lost tax revenue the state will not reimburse. The council closed the public hearing on the measure and then voted unanimously to adopt it.

"Based on the 2025 grand list, staff estimates four Farmington residents would qualify," town staff said during the hearing on the measure, which drew no public comment in the room or online.

Earlier in the meeting, the town's registrars of voters, including Beth, presented a plan to consolidate the annual spring budget referendum from five polling locations to one, at Town Hall. The registrars said turnout for the referendum has run between 3.5 percent and 5.24 percent in most years, or 712 to 987 voters. Staffing five sites cost $11,559 in personnel in 2025 and $8,065 in 2026; a single location would cost an estimated $2,950, a savings of more than 63 percent. Council member Keith pressed the registrars on whether a second site on the east side of town could remain open.

"I'm wondering, I'm sure you guys have thought about maybe keeping something on the east side of town open too." [00:15:54] — Council member Keith

The registrars said the change does not require council approval but that they wanted feedback before rolling out communications ahead of the April referendum.

The council separately awarded the basketball court contract to Hinding Tennis LLC of Branford, Connecticut, the lowest of five bids received, under a $1 million state STEAP grant that is funding a broader slate of Tunxis Mead Park upgrades totaling $1,454,000, including turf, lighting, dugouts and a press box, with the town covering roughly $500,000 in local match.

Director of Finance and Administration Joe Swetky and Town Manager Kathy also walked the council through the fiscal 2026 year-end numbers. Property tax revenue came in $994,482 over budget, and investment income exceeded expectations by nearly $1 million, offsetting higher snow removal and police overtime costs and lower-than-expected building permit revenue.

"So overall, I think it's, you know, it was a positive year." [01:02:53] — Town Manager Kathy

The council also approved, 6-0 with council member Keith recused because his wife is employed under the agreement, a new three-year contract with the Farmington Administrators and Supervisors Association covering 15 principals, assistant principals and curriculum and special-education supervisors. The deal includes 3 percent raises, an increased annuity contribution and a new $25-per-month non-taxable cell phone reimbursement.

Council Chair Bryant Connolly closed the meeting by urging residents to complete the townwide survey that launched October 9, which will help shape the town's next 10-year plan of conservation and development.

"Good government begins with listening, and this survey is an important step in making sure residents help shape Farmington's future." [01:38:36] — Council Chair Bryant Connolly

Why It Matters

The veteran tax exemption change affects a small group, about four households, but removes a cost the state will not cover, a tradeoff the council accepted without objection. The basketball court contract and the broader $1,454,000 Tunxis Mead Park plan, funded almost entirely by a state grant plus roughly $500,000 in town match, will reshape recreation facilities residents use directly. The registrars' plan to consolidate referendum voting to one site could change how, not whether, roughly 700 to 1,000 residents cast ballots each spring, with a decision expected before the April 2027 referendum.

Key Motions & Votes

- Vote: Amend Town Code Chapter 176, Article 6, property tax exemption for disabled veterans Tally: Approved unanimously - Vote: Approve September 1, 2026 regular meeting minutes Tally: Approved unanimously - Vote: Approve September 8, 2026 regular meeting minutes Tally: For: 6, Against: 0, Abstain: 1, Total: 7 - Vote: Approve contract with Farmington Administrators and Supervisors Association Tally: For: 6, Against: 0, Abstain: 0, Total: 6 (council member Keith recused) - Vote: Set November 10, 2026 public hearing on Main Street sidewalk extension Tally: Approved unanimously - Vote: Award $295,875 contract to Hinding Tennis LLC for Tunxis Mead Park basketball courts Tally: Approved unanimously - Vote: Approve fiscal 2025-26 general fund appropriation transfers Tally: Approved unanimously - Vote: Adopt resolution authorizing $20,000 state DECD grant application for fiscal 2027 Tally: Approved unanimously - Vote: Change October 27, 2026 council meeting location to Westwoods Golf Course Clubhouse Tally: Approved unanimously - Vote: Approve property tax refunds Tally: Approved unanimously - Vote: Appoint Rose Ponte to Central Regional Tourism District Tally: Approved unanimously - Vote: Appoint Pete Ramajandini to Economic Development Commission Tally: Approved unanimously - Vote: Appoint Kathleen Blonsky to Greater Hartford Transit District Tally: Approved unanimously - Vote: Appoint Dean Dalek to Housing Authority Tally: Approved unanimously - Vote: Reappoint Ann Newberry to Housing Authority Tally: Approved unanimously - Vote: Appoint Marie Labadier to Human Relations Commission Tally: Approved unanimously - Vote: Appoint Lori Cavanaugh as alternate to Unionville Historic District and Properties Commission Tally: Approved unanimously - Vote: Appoint John Viver as alternate to Unionville Historic District and Properties Commission Tally: Approved unanimously - Vote: Appoint Jim McCaffrey to Water Pollution Control Authority Tally: Approved unanimously - Action: Council entered executive session to discuss a real estate site selection matter

Source

Farmington Connecticut Meetings: Town Council meeting, October 13, 2026