As Bristol embarks upon the Revaluation of all real property which go into effect for next year’s October 1, 2027 Grand List, I am asking the City Council to review the state legislative initiatives that allow municipalities to provide property tax relief to homeowners. If enacted and voted upon by the City Council, this will affect the first post-Revaluation tax bills for July 1, 2028. 


Mayor Ellen Zoppo-Sassu

The goal is straightforward: to provide meaningful tax relief to Bristol homeowners while maintaining a strong and competitive commercial tax base. A percentage ranging from 5%-35% may be chosen and applied to residential assessments, and this is the number from which the July 1, 2028 tax will be issued. 

At tomorrow’s City Council meeting, there will be a New Business item to discuss Residential Property Tax Exemptions under Connecticut General Statutes and potentially refer language to the Ordinance Committee. City Assessor Thomas Denoto and Assistant Corporation Counsel Jonathan Donovan have assisted the Mayor’s Office in creating this framework for discussion.

There are approximately 18,603 parcels in the City of Bristol, although not all will be eligible. Under the program:
• The eligible properties generally include owner-occupied single-family homes, owner-occupied two-family homes, owner-occupied condominiums, and qualifying manufactured homes.
• The exemption would apply only to a homeowner’s principal residence—not rental properties, second homes, seasonal residences, vacant land, or commercial property.
• Homeowners will need to apply through the Assessor’s Office and provide documentation demonstrating ownership and residency.

As the Assessor’s Office prepares for the Revaluation process, the trends are indicating that the potential is there for residential properties to increase in value by 20-25% while commercial and industrials properties are trending in the 10-15% range. This program would not affect the Motor Vehicle assessment and taxation as that is now capped at 32.45 mills per the State. 

The role of the City Council will be to determine what an appropriate percentage reduction would be to strike an appropriate balance to support the people who live and own homes in Bristol and who are grappling with affordability issues, while continuing to maintain a competitive environment for the businesses that invest in our community.

Here are some examples of an average, annual Bristol property tax savings on the assessed value of qualifying owner-occupied residential property if a 10% or 15% reduction in assessment was enacted under CGS 12-81oo: 

Single family home 2 family Condo Mobile Home

10% $645 savings $544 savings $355 savings $128 savings

15% $860 savings $725 savings $532 savings $192 savings

There are several different questions that need to be discussed and decided upon before a City Council vote happens. For example: 

the City Council will need to do some analysis on the shift of the burden to ensure it is not regressive to renters. 

There also needs to be discussion about temporary staffing or pulling employees from other departments to help with the application process and phone calls. 

Is there a minimum or maximum on the assessed value receiving the benefit? 

How do other pieces of state laws impact this, including the Tax Collector statutes which state that all property owners must pay 25% of value?

What is the “order of operation” in terms of how the City will apply other tax programs like the veterans exemption, the senior citizen volunteer tax credit, and those who are under the Permanent/Totally disabled exemption?


Trash truck winds up in Pequabuck after losing brakes on Willis Street. | David Fortier

On Friday, there was a multi-agency response to a commercial trash hauler careening down Willis Street, across South Street, through the back of the school, across the Memorial Boulevard and into the Pequabuck River. Miraculously, no one was hurt in the path of the truck and the driver and passenger sustained non-life threatening injuries. From noon until 11 p.m., Riverside Avenue and the Boulevard was crowded with Fire, Police, EMS, State DEEP, DMV Truck Enforcement division and others who worked together to get the charred truck out of the river. Two city employees were on scene early and assisted in moving the injured men away from the truck, which had already had one explosion and was engulfed in flames. Officer Mark McGrane went into the river to assist the driver to safety. Travis Aubin, a Water Dept. employee, heard the explosion and ran across the street, went down the 15-foot embankment, and helped the passenger to get away from the flames, using his belt as a tourniquet on the victim’s arm injury. The Fire Dept. implemented a ropes rescue to lift the two men out of the river, while extinguishing the flames, preventing further explosions. The school was evacuated to Bristol Central as a cautionary measure. 

On Aug. 31, Board of Education Commissioner Lori Osenkowski confirmed by email that she was resigning, effective Aug. 31, to spend more time with her family. We thank her for her service, and are awaiting her signed resignation letter which is needed for the City’s records. Once that is received, I will make a nomination, and the City Council will consider an appointment to fill the rest of her term.

Board vacancies have happened before, but the process may not be familiar to everyone. The mayor has 35 days to fill the vacancy by nominating a name, and the City Council votes on the appointment, which must be from the same party as the person who resigned. Political town committees may recommend names, but the Mayor and City Council are responsible for the final decision.

When a board vacancy occurs between elections, the mayor and City Council is looking for a person who already understands the work of the board. Bristol’s two most recent appointments followed that approach: Robert Parenti brought extensive public-service and education experience, and Jennifer Tagariello returned after 10 years of prior board service, including service as board chair. The person selected will share responsibility for keeping Bristol’s schools focused on students and the work ahead. Next summer, the two town committees will meet to endorse names to run for the board in the November 2027 election. Two members, Shelby Pons and Kristen Giantonio, are term limited and will be ending their service next year. The terms are staggered over four years, to create an overlap of service. 


Residents pack Council Chambers for Thursday night’s community forum about the possible acquisition of Chippanee Golf Course. The City Council hosted the event, in which members of the public were encouraged to ask questions and voice their views on the possible purchase. | Mike Chaiken

On Thursday night, the City Council hosted a Community Forum on the potential acquisition of Chippanee Golf Course. Over 100 people attended in person, and there were over 100 people online as well. To watch the meeting, click here: Special City Council •    City of Bristol Meetings • CivicClerk

If you would like a copy of the presentation that was given to show the due diligence done to date, please email the[email protected] and it will be sent to you. 

The City Council is still working through significant details. There is an executive session planned for tomorrow night’s City Council meeting, and it is my hope that we can have one more public meeting prior to a vote. Stay tuned for that information as it is determined.

For all those who labor to improve our community – city employees, employers, volunteers and more – I hope you have a restful Labor Day as we take a moment to thank those who helped shape our community. 

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