Politics & Government

Public Hearing Set on Exempting Tax on Certain Durham Cars

The Town of Durham is considering adopting an ordinance that would eliminate the car tax for vehicles that accommodate disabled people.

Durham residents who wish to speak out about a proposed ordinance that would exempt the car tax on vehicles that accommodate disabled persons will be able to do so on Nov. 18.

The Durham Board of Selectmen set a public hearing on the ordinance change for next month, said First Selectman Laura Francis, who said she is committed to have a public hearing any time an ordinance change is proposed.

The purpose of the ordinance is so cars that are outfitted for transporting a person with disabilities — like a van with modified doors so to accommodate a wheelchair — would not be subjected to the annual municipal car tax. 

Click here to read a full text of the ordinance.

The idea stems from state legislation passed in the mid-1990s enabling this type of exemption.

"The Town of Durham actually did draft up some language (on a new law for the town) but it did not go anywhere," Francis said. 

She said that changed when the town got a request from a resident and the language, which was still in a draft stage in the assessor's office, was reviewed again.


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