West Side seniors will get a chance to trade work for a reduction in their property tax bills starting July 1 under a new program initiated by the mayor and approved recently by the Town Council. The Town Council on April 1 unanimously approved that program as well as a similar one for veterans. “It gives seniors and veterans an opportunity to work for the town and get a rebate on taxes”," Town Council President Kathleen A. Bourque said Friday of the two new programs. Mayor Gregory C. Neffinger said he is pleased that the council approved his initiative. ”It is going to be great for the seniors and the vets,” the mayor said. The senior program limits elderly to a reduction of not more than 100 hours per fiscal year and being paid at the rate of the minimum wage, which is $8 in Massachusetts. The veterans program allows them to reduce their tax bills by up to $1,000 a year. Neffinger sent the two proposals to the Town Council in December, citing a desire to relieve the tax burden on citizens in difficult economic times. In 2000, the city voted at Town Meeting to adopt a section of state law allowing such a program for seniors, but it was never incorporated into local ordinances. It acted during its April 1 meeting to accept that provision. The ordinance amendment states that volunteer services must be performed before an abatement check that would be endorsed to the city would be issued. The total number of senior abatements would be limited to no more than 40 in a given years. The program would be restricted to seniors 65 and older who have no more than $40,000 in assets exclusive of their homes and have no more than $30,000 in annual gross income. Seniors must also be the owner or deeded life tenant of the property in question and must occupy it as their principal residence. They must apply for the program for each year they wish to take part. Participants will also be required to possess minimum qualifications for the position with preference given to those most qualified. Qualifications and any testing will be established by the city’s human resources director. Current city employees will not be eligible, but retired employees will be able to participate. The human resources director may adopt rules and regulations including but not limited to the types of work or services provided, the hours of the work, procedures for overseeing volunteers and record-keeping procedures. Both ordinances include language allowing for seniors and veterans to be warned that their participation in the programs may affect their eligibility for other city, state, federal or local programs. They suggest seniors may wish to contact the West Springfield Council on Aging and veterans may want to consult with the city’s veterans officer.
Posted on: Wed, 03 Jul 2013 14:12:54 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015