Board opens public hearing on real‑property tax exemptions; volunteer firefighters urge retention of exemption

The Connetquot Central School District Board of Education opened a public hearing on Feb. 12 on proposed local real‑property tax exemptions and then closed the hearing after no members of the public spoke during the hearing period. The hearing covered three exemption provisions the district presented: Section 4‑67 (persons aged 65 and older), section 4‑59‑c (persons with disabilities and limited income) and section 4‑66‑a (eligible volunteer firefighters).

Before the hearing was called, David O'Shaughnessy, chief of the Bohemia Fire Department, addressed the board during the first public comment period in support of the volunteer firefighters exemption. O'Shaughnessy said the exemption "is a major part of our recruitment and retention in the fire service" and urged the board to "consider this moving forward."

Nut graf: The board formally opened the public hearing on the three real‑property tax exemption provisions, recorded no public comments during the hearing window and adjourned the hearing. Public comments made earlier in the first comment period included a plea from local volunteer fire department leadership to retain or adopt the firefighter exemption as a recruitment and retention tool.

What the board did: The board moved to call the public hearing and the motion passed by voice vote. The hearing was opened, the public was asked if they wished to comment on the specific exemptions, and then the hearing was adjourned and the business meeting reconvened.

Ending: The board will record its consideration of the exemptions in the minutes and any formal adoption or changes to local exemptions would be taken up in subsequent agenda items or meetings.