Are Chickens Worth Cost of a Stamp?

Voters will be asked at the next election to forego taxing certain animals, machinery and equipment used for agricultural purposes.

 Principal Assessor Jennifer O’Neil told selectmen Tuesday, June 7 that the effort to determine the amount of livestock in town, and giving each a value, would more than offset the $1,400 in estimated revenue.

The town does not currently collect taxes on these items, she said. The vote would make it official.

By state law, agricultural equipment is exempted from the tax if it is used primarily for farming purposes. People must apply for this exemption, which is not granted automatically, she said.

 Selectman chairman Peter Adams noted that a chicken is officially valued at a few dollars.

The tax on that chicken, he quipped, would be less than the cost of the stamp to mail the tax notice.