Milton homeowners are facing a record-setting increase in their property tax bills as the town begins to account for a significant funding override. Chief Appraiser Charles Charlie Ardito presented the FY26 tax classification options to the Board on November 6, revealing that the average single-family tax bill is projected to rise by approximately 11.9%, or $1,300. This spike is primarily driven by the $8.8 million override recently approved by voters, alongside an additional $700,000 allocated for the town’s stabilization fund.

Ardito explained that while residential property values increased by 5% and commercial values rose between 3.3% and 4%, the combined impact of the tax rate increase and property revaluations created a steep climb for taxpayers. Everything that you see includes the override; it is $8,800,000 and there's another $700,000 in addition to that, Ardito told the board. He recommended adopting a residential factor of 0.9771, which provides the maximum allowable relief to residents under Department of Revenue limits. It seems the best option would be option one just because that's going to give the most relief to the residential side without really beefing up the commercials, he noted.

Board members expressed concern regarding the scale of the one-year jump. Brian questioned the historical context of the figures, asking, So the increase in the average single family tax bill is the greatest one-year increase in the last nine years? Going up by over $1,300? Ardito confirmed the figure, explaining that the tax rate itself climbed about 7% in addition to the value increases. John observed that the choice between classification options was unusually narrow this year. I feel like this is the tightest all these options have been in several years. Typically there is quite a gap in between all three of them, he said.

Motion Made by B. Brian to adopt a minimum residential factor of 0.9771, not adopt a residential exemption, and not adopt a small commercial exemption. Motion Passed (3-0-0)

The board also discussed why Milton does not currently utilize a residential exemption, a tool common in cities with high rental populations like Boston or Cambridge. Ardito clarified that such exemptions typically only benefit homeowners whose property value falls below the town average, whereas Milton’s consistently high values make the shift less effective for the majority of residents. He also highlighted that Milton’s tax levy accounts for 85% of its total budget—the highest among its peer communities. Brian pointed out this discrepancy, but Ardito suggested it may be a matter of how revenue is categorized. That really just means the levy itself. Other people might raise money through fees... I don't think it really reflects anything on Milton; it's just that the tax levy itself—it's almost like people pay one way or another, Ardito said.

In a decision that will impact local sustainability efforts, the board declined to tax residential solar panels as personal property. After consulting with state officials, Ardito found that the state prefers municipalities avoid these valuations, which involve 20-year exemptions and rapid depreciation. Bob supported the decision to skip the assessment, noting the administrative burden. I don't know of any municipality that taxed them. In 20 years, they're not going to be worth anything anyway, Bob said. Ardito agreed, stating that pursuing such taxes would open a can of worms, especially for residents who lease their equipment rather than owning it.

On the broader economic front, the town's new growth revenue exceeded the $1 million estimate, largely due to the completion of the Ice House project and its transition to condominiums. While this provides a boost to the town’s coffers, Ardito noted some lingering uncertainty in the wider economy. I've seen an uptick even just on the residential side... but there is a lot of uncertainty with AI taking people's jobs, he remarked. The town currently maintains an overlay account balance of approximately $2.4 million to handle potential tax abatements, with significant outstanding liabilities limited to the Anquity and Winter Valley cases. Board members noted that improved tracking software has given the town a much clearer grasp on these balances than in previous years.