Board Releases Assessors' Solar Tax Opinion

Select Board · Meeting of September 8, 2026

Southampton Select Board votes 4-0 to release an assessors' opinion opposing solar PILOT deals. The board disclosed an August 25 executive-session roll call, members Lumbra, Fowles, Knicky and Hamill voting yes, releasing a two-page opinion from consultant Roy Bishop recommending full and fair cash value taxation over fixed payment-in-lieu-of-tax agreements for solar projects. Resident Cassandra Adams told the board the state DEP determined she and two neighbors were wrongly excluded as abutters on the Manhan River LLC solar project after town counsel KP Law said otherwise.

The board also adopted, as a draft, a six-category, 61-item goals framework from its chair, giving Town Administrator Scott two weeks to respond, with Scott warning "this year is going to be a very tight year." Members debated eliminating the town's non-union grievance procedure without reaching a vote, and approved a one-day alcohol license for Basista's Orchards' 100th anniversary, applicant Matt Tarlecki of Abandoned Building Brewery.

In the full story:

• Who Was There
• Organizations And Documents Referenced
• The complete report — 3,272 words

Source: the Select Board meeting of September 8, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.