ORDINANCE
Motion/Request:
title
MOTION to schedule a Hybird (in-Person and Video Conference) Public Hearing date for February 11, 2026 at 6:30 p.m. to receive comments and recommendations regarding a proposed "An Ordinance of the Town Of Ledyard Authorizing Avalonia Land Conservancy to Receive Property Tax Exempt Status As of the Date of Purchase of Real Property to be Preserved And Maintained As Open Space".
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Background:
In accordance with Chapter III; Section 5 of the Town Charter
Section 5. Public Hearing On, Publication of, And Passage of Ordinances
Unless otherwise required by State statutes, at least one public hearing, notice of which shall be given at least five (5) days in advance by publication on the Town Website and by posting a notice in a public place, shall be held by the Town Council before any ordinance shall be passed.
Additional Background regardign the proposed Ordinance
Connecticut General Statutes 12-81dd enables conservation properties to be tax exempt with the adoption of an Ordinance by the Municipalities Legislative Body (Town Council).
At the time when Avalonia Land Conservancy acquired property located at 154 Stoddards Wharf Road, Gales Ferry on October 27, 2025 it was a taxable property. Therefore, Avalonia Land Conservancy paid $1,120.72 in taxes at the closing.
Since the process to remove the property from the tax roll did not occur when the property was purchased by Avalonia Land Conservancy they received a tax bill. Once taxes were due, the Tax Assessor could not waive them without Town Council authorization.
Therefore, Avalonia has appealed to the Town Council for relief (see attached letter dated 1/12/2026).
The only way to resolve the issue was thru the following Town Council actions:
(1) Adopt an Ordinance authorizing the Church to receive a tax exempt status; and
(2) Adopt a Resolution to waive the taxes owed
The Resolution was the mechanism to waive or write off the taxes that were already du...
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