Chester board sends 0.75% transfer tax to November ballot to fund Community Preservation Fund

The Town Board of Chester voted to send Introductory Local Law 4 of 2026, which would impose a 0.75% real estate transfer tax to create a Community Preservation Fund (CPF), to the November 3, 2026 ballot.

Supporters at the public hearing described the fund as a voluntary, one-time transfer tax paid at closing and exempt for first‑time buyers. "I urge the board to vote yes to place [the CPF] on the November 3 ballot," public commenter Susanna Devine told the board, outlining examples that a typical $550,000 house would pay about $750 at closing and that sales at or below the Orange County median home price ($450,000) would pay $0 under the exemption framework.

Board members and staff explained the legal safeguards and implementation schedule. The transcript record notes the plan and tax are governed by Town Law §64‑l and that CPF revenues are restricted by state law to preservation purposes and cannot be moved to the general fund. The board clarified the community preservation plan would be introduced, posted for public review, and must be adopted at least 60 days before any referendum to meet statutory timing requirements.

The measure was introduced by motion and approved for submission to the Board of Elections; a roll-call vote was recorded as unanimous 'Aye.' With that vote the board effectively put the question to Chester voters; only a successful referendum will enact the tax and activate the CPF. The board and staff urged residents to review the posted plan before the next board vote on the project plan.