2008-TDES-rpt - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

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,Mary Haskell,William Kennedy,Anne McQuilken,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 Property Tax Relief Committee of the Massachusetts Council on Aging to follow tax exemptions and deferrals offered by other communities and emerging at the state level. • Updated the committee's brochure,Property Tax Relieffor Seniors,with current information for distribution by the Town • Responded to an FY2008 Town Meeting citizen article brought forth by Benjamin Cohen requesting a home rule petition to raise income eligibility levels and lower the qualifying age for property tax deferrals. The committee consulted with town officials and 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 not proceed to a vote in 2007,but State Representative Jay Kaufman reintroduced the petition(HR4262)and the chairs and Town Manager Carl Valente provided testimony and were successful in having the bill passed. The committee continues to do research and to participate in discussions with town officials to formulate a new eligibility standard for the Town's deferral program that is both fiscally prudent and beneficial to deserving seniors.A motion for a new eligibility standard will be put before the Spring 2009 Town Meeting. • At the request of the Selectmen,the committee researched,consulted with town officials,and prepared a report on defining eligibility and benefit rules for Lexington's water and sewer discounts for deserving residents. Our recommendation to provide a 30%water and sewer discount to rate payers who receive fuel assistance under the federal LIHEAP fuel assistance program was adopted by the Town this year. In FY2008, 15 homes received the discount.