Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Tax Policy Seniors topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council approves expansion of West Haven elderly tax‑freeze ordinance
Summary
The council approved an amendment to the city’s elderly tax freeze to expand eligibility and set clear income and residency thresholds; the measure passed in legislative committee and then before the full council.
The West Haven City Council approved an amendment to the city’s elderly tax‑freeze ordinance that revises eligibility and application rules for seniors.
Under the amendment approved by the council, owners who are 70 years of age or older and who have lived in West Haven for at least 10 consecutive years may apply to have property taxes on their primary residence frozen at the prior year’s October grand‑list amount. Income limits were set at $50,000 for couples and $35,000 for single applicants; Social Security benefits are excluded from the income calculation.
The ordinance text, read into the record by Councilman Christopher Vargo during the legislative matters report, also states that surviving joint owners may retain the freeze so long as at least one surviving owner is at least 65 and meets the other eligibility requirements. The assessor’s office will implement the program and accept new applications between Feb. 1 and May 15 each year.
Committee discussion noted removal of an earlier residency‑age restriction to better reflect modern household arrangements in which grandparents may be caring for grandchildren; committee members said the change increases access for seniors who meet the residency and income criteria.
Councilman Vargo moved to approve the ordinance and Councilwoman Ruby Melton seconded the motion. The council approved the change by voice vote during the legislative matters report; committee had recommended passage.
