Preston — The Board of Selectmen on Thursday voted to offer all town property taxpayers a 90-day deferral on property tax bills, one of two options for property tax relief called for in an executive order by Gov. Ned Lamont.

The town had the option of either offering a 90-day property tax payment deferral to Oct. 1 or a greatly reduced interest rate on delinquent taxes from the usual 18% per year to a maximum of 3%. Towns could offer the deferral to property taxpayers who certify that they have been affected financially by the COVID-19 emergency or extend it to all town taxpayers. Taxes on bills issued July 1 are due normally by Aug. 1 before interest is charged.

The Board of Selectmen voted unanimously to extend the 90-day payment deferral to all town taxpayers. The governor’s order, however, calls for mortgage holders that pay property taxes through escrow accounts to pay on time in July. Preston Town Clerk/Tax Collector Jill Keith reported that 27.6% of Preston’s taxes are paid through escrow accounts.

Keith and town and school Finance Director John Spang recommended the deferral program to the selectmen, saying it would give the most relief to town taxpayers during the coronavirus emergency.

Selectmen agreed and said extending it to all taxpayers would be the fairest way to go, rather than requiring residents and business owners to file forms certifying they have been hurt financially by the COVID-19 emergency.

First Selectwoman Sandra Allyn-Gauthier said she would publicize the decision on the town website, through media and social media, announce it on message boards outside the town’s two schools and by email on the town’s electronic messenger system.

c.bessette@theday.com