HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-TDES-rpt 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.