HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-TDES-rpt RECEIVED
TOWN CLERK
2014 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.
• Expanded the committee's former brochure, Property Tax Relief for Seniors, to
include all property owners and updated it with current information for distribution
by the Town. The brochure is now titled Property Tax Relief Programs.
• 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.