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RECEIVED TOWN CLERK 2019 TAX DEFERRAL AND EXEMPTION STUDY COMMITTEE LEXINGTON MA ROLE: The Tax Deferral and Exemption Committee is charged to review and recommend to the Board of Selectmen options for the deferral or exemption of local property taxes under existing state law, or by home rule petition for a special act of the state legislature, that might enhance or make accessible the property tax relief currently available to elderly, low-income, disabled or otherwise deserving residents. APPOINTED by the Board of Selectmen: Co-Chairs Vicki Blier and Patricia Costello, Richard Bair, Jane Current, Pam Joshi. Board Liaison, Joe Pato. Appropriations Committee Liaison, John Bartenstein. Staff Liaison, Carolyn Kosnoff. HIGHLIGHTS: • Created an insert promoting Lexington's Senior Property Tax Deferral program which was included with first quarter real estate tax bills • The committee continues to do research and to participate in discussions with Town officials to maintain eligibility standards for the Town's deferral program that are both fiscally prudent and beneficial to deserving property owners. A Selectman's motion to raise the eligibility standard to households with incomes of up to $75,000 was approved by the Spring 2019 Town Meeting for the FY2020 property tax year. • Provided research and input to the Residential Exemption Policy Study Committee, which is considering the exemption for Lexington property owners • Assisted the Assessor's Office in updating the Property Tax Relief Programs brochure with current information on the Massachusetts Circuit Breaker tax credit and the Federal Reserve interest rate to be used for deferrals. Also assisted in revising the cover letter for property tax deferral applications to clarify the change in the interest rate if ownership changes. • Joined with the Property Tax Relief Committee of the Massachusetts Council on Aging (MCOA) to follow property tax exemptions and deferral legislation and programs offered by other communities. Presented the MCOA appeal for more fair tax deferral legislation at Support Aging in Massachusetts Lobby Day at the Massachusetts State House on March 11. • Met with the Lexington Council on Aging Board to present current senior tax deferral and exemption programs that help to keep seniors in their homes and to ask the board for help in communicating these programs.