How did we get here?

Decades of "No" — Then One Fast "Yes"

For over 40 years, Chatham said no to the residential tax exemption.

Why? Same problems every time: helps rich and poor equally, raises rent for workers, costs millions, divides the community.

The Select Board rejected it at least 12 times.

Then on August 19, 2025, everything changed. They voted 4-1 to adopt it.

Jeff Dykens (Select Board member who'd voted no before):

"We have priced our residents out of existence in this town."

Seth Taylor (former Select Board member):

"Second homeowners can afford a $1 tax increase."

Dean Nicastro (Select Board chair, cast the only no vote):

He "hadn't heard anything to change his view."

Seth Taylor said, "a $1 increase."

The actual math:

That's not $1. That's over a thousand dollars.