2013 Rpt of AC to ATM - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

APPROPRIATION COMMITTEE REPORT TO THE MARCH 2013 ATM The Senior Service Program Since 2006, the Town has operated its own Senior Service Program, which allows low-to-moderate in- come seniors to perform volunteer work for the Town in exchange for a reduction in their property tax. The Town adopted this program, in substitution for a similar program previously operated under G.L. c. 59, § 5K, to allow it more flexibility in setting the age criteria for participation, the wage rate, and the to- tal amount of credit allowed. Unlike the former program, which was funded through the Town's overlay account, the Senior Service Program is funded by direct appropriation from the tax levy. For general background on the Senior Ser- vice Program and other property tax relief options available to seniors, including exemptions and oppor- tunities for deferral,please refer to Appendix D. Benefits and Criteria for Participation The maximum amount of the tax reduction that may now be earned, under guidelines that have been es- tablished by the Selectmen, is $935 (110 hours at $8.50 per hour) for an individual and $1,190 (140 hours at $8.50 per hour) for a couple. Participants may receive property tax reductions under this program in addition to any other exemption for which they qualify, such as the $1,000 Clause 41C exemption, and may also defer the balance of their taxes under Clause 41A if they are eligible to do so. Current income eligibility criteria are set forth in Appendix D. Funding Requirements and Requested Appropriation The program operates as a continuing balance account, and unexpended funds carry over from year to year. When first established in FY2007, the program was funded at $25,000, an amount slightly higher than the average annual amount that had been expended from the overlay account under the pre-existing state program during the 2004-2006 fiscal years. In anticipation of higher usage, the annual appropriation was subsequently increased for FY2007 (at a fall special town meeting) to $36,000, for FY2008 to $40,000, and for FY2009 and FY2010 to $45,000. This level of funding, however,proved to be more than was required to allow the Town to admit all eligi- ble applicants who wished to participate in the program. Despite efforts to expand participation, including increases in the income threshold, the numbers have been stable at around 30-34 persons from FY2007 through FY2013 and annual expenditures have ranged from $22-28,000. Accordingly, no appropriation was required for FY2011 and subsequent appropriation requests have been scaled back to reflect realistic funding requirements and the amount of carryover funds available. The appropriation that will be request- ed this year, $20,000 instead of the $45,000 amount stated in the Warrant, will be more than adequate to support current needs and also allow for some expansion. Going forward, however, the Selectmen may wish to consider steps to enhance interest in this worthy program, including liberalizing eligibility thresh- olds, enhancing benefits, and increasing publicity. The Committee recommends approval of this request(9-0). Article 7: Establish and Continue Funds Funding Committee Departmental Revolving Funds Requested Source Recommendation See below RF Approve (9-0) Authorized FY2014 Fund Departmental FY2013 # Program or Purpose Representative or Receipts Authorization Requested Board to Spend Authorization 1100 School Bus School Committee School Bus Fees $830,000 $830,000 Transportation 20