HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-TDES-rpt RECEIVED
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TOWN CLERK
2012 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,
Mary Haskell. Board Liaison, Norman Cohen. Appropriations Committee Liaison, John
Bartenstein. Staff Liaison, Rob Addelson.
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 Relief for Seniors, with current
information for distribution by the Town.
• 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 $60,000 was approved by the Spring 2011 Town Meeting for the FY2012
property tax year.