HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-TDES-rpt RECEIVED
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TOWN CLERK
2013 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,
Alan Seferian, 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 $65,000 was approved by the Spring 2013 Town Meeting for the FY2014
property tax year