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Hamilton resident urges help for seniors facing tax and assessment problems; council offers resources
Summary
During public comment, Pastor Gene Michaud described difficulties with property tax relief programs, deed changes and benefit checks following his wife's death and asked the council for assistance. Councilmembers and staff outlined county and state resources and offered to help navigate applications.
Pastor Gene Michaud, of Holy Trinity Baptist Church, told Hamilton Township Council during public comment that he and other seniors have struggled to navigate property tax relief and assessment processes.
Michaud described an experience in which state assistance checks were issued in his late wife's name after her death and said changing deeds and getting replacement checks had been time-consuming.
"They sent you a check to help you pay the fourth quarter of the taxes, and when I went to the bank the bank refused to cash it," Michaud said, describing a delay of months before he received a replacement payment.
Michaud, who said he is 82, also raised broader concerns about affordability, evictions and whether enough local help exists for low-income and senior homeowners who fall behind on taxes.
Council members and staff responded with practical guidance. A council member clarified that deed changes are handled at the county level (the county clerk's office) and that the state-run tax-relief application commonly known locally as the "Anchor" program is administered through the Division of Taxation and may require annual filings. Officials said the municipal tax office completes a portion of some combined state forms and that the township can help connect residents to county housing resources, the county office of senior services and local assistance at the township's senior center.
Council staff said the township would provide contact information and assistance. One council member offered: "call my office, and I'll make sure that we get in touch with somebody at that state office," and another described local opportunities for in-person help at the senior center where forms are completed on scheduled assistance days.
Meeting participants also pointed to other relief options discussed at the meeting: a senior deduction (with income limits) and recent state-level proposals to increase senior tax refunds; staff noted that the combined state application for several programs must be completed annually and that deadlines for some applications extend through October 2025.
Ending: Council members said they would follow up with the pastor, provide contact information for the tax assessor and county resources, and try to make application links and guidance more visible on the township website and social media.
