2007-TDES-rpt - Laserfiche WebLink

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RECEIVED TOWN CLERK TAX DEFERRAL AND EXEMPTION STUDY COMMITTEE LEXINGTON MA ROLE: To study,understand, and evaluate options for helping lower income citizens,particularly seniors, with their property taxes.To research existing state legislation that enables local tax exemptions and deferrals,estimate the probable cost to the town budget,and advise the Selectmen on the costs and benefits, pros and cons of each option. To track legislation currently under development by the Commonwealth and to encourage legislation beneficial to town interests. APPOINTED by the Board of Selectmen: Co-Chairs Vicki Blier and Patricia Costello,Joel Adler,William Kennedy,and Thomas Taylor.Board Liaison,Norman Cohen. Appropriations Committee Liaison,John Bartenstein. Staff Liaison,Lauren McSweeney. HIGHLIGHTS: * Continued to follow legislation pertaining to tax exemptions and deferrals * Joined with the Massachusetts Council on Aging's Property Tax Relief Committee to follow tax exemptions and deferrals in other communities * Updated the committee's brochure,Property Tax Relief for Seniors,with current information for distribution by the Town * In response to a citizen article requesting a home rule petition to raise income eligibility levels and lower the qualifying age for property tax deferrals brought forth at Town Meeting by Benjamin Cohen,the committee advised the Selectmen on a substitute motion which would provide the Town with greater options for creating its own program.Due to a crowded legislative calendar, this home rule petition did notproceed to a vote this year, but the committee will work to reintroduce it in 2008. * Researched and prepared a report,at the request of the Selectmen,on defining Lexington's water and sewer discounts for deserving residents. At present,a water and sewer bill discount of 30%is given on an ad hoc basis to needy residents.The availability of this assistance is not widely known. 15 homes currently receive the discount.