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Brentwood board adopts 10% property tax exemption for volunteer firefighters, ambulance workers
Summary
The Brentwood Union Free School District Board of Education voted Feb. 13 to authorize a 10% partial real‑property tax exemption for primary residences owned by enrolled volunteer firefighters and volunteer ambulance workers under New York Real Property Tax Law section 466‑a.
The Brentwood Union Free School District Board of Education voted Feb. 13 to authorize a 10% partial real‑property tax exemption for primary residences owned by enrolled volunteer firefighters and volunteer ambulance workers under New York Real Property Tax Law section 466‑a.
The resolution, adopted after the district conducted the required public hearing, specifies eligibility requirements, including residency in the territory served by the volunteer organization, that the property be the applicant’s primary residence and used exclusively for residential purposes, and certification of at least two years of active service by the authority having jurisdiction. The measure took effect upon adoption, the board said.
The move transitions the district from options previously authorized under RPTL §466‑c to the §466‑a framework and explicitly preserves certain survivor and long‑service provisions. The board resolution states that the unremarried spouse of an enrolled member killed in the line of duty may continue to receive the exemption if certified and if the deceased member met minimum service thresholds; the resolution also grants lifetime exemption for members with more than 20 years of active service, subject to certification and residence requirements.
Board members handled the motion during the regular business meeting. The motion to adopt was made by Brandon Garcia and seconded by Eileen Harmon; the clerk announced the motion and the board recorded the action as moved (ayes announced). The resolution directs the district clerk to file the certified resolution with the Town of Islip on the forms designated by the town and states application and administration will be governed by RPTL §466‑a.
Why it matters: The change lowers the minimum service requirement for enrolled members from the 5‑year floor in the district’s earlier local option (RPTL §466‑c) to two years under §466‑a, a change the board’s resolution says is intended to “enhance the recruitment and retention of volunteer firefighters and volunteer ambulance workers who own a primary residence within the school district.” That could affect recruitment in local volunteer emergency services and the tax burden on qualifying householders.
Key provisions and clarifications included in the adopted resolution: - Exemption amount: 10% of assessed value for school district taxation purposes (as stated in the resolution). - Minimum active service to qualify: 2 years (enrolled member certification required). - Survivor provisions: unremarried and remarried spouse rules are included; some survivor provisions reference longer service thresholds (5 years or 20 years) as stated in the resolution. - Filing requirement: applications and certified resolution to be filed with the Town of Islip using town forms; the district clerk is directed to provide the town with a certified resolution.
The board president announced the resolution would be placed on the district website for public reference.
Ending: The board approved the measure during its Feb. 13 business meeting; the district expects to publish details and application instructions following the town’s administrative procedures and the resolution’s filing.
