Connetquot board schedules hearings on firefighter and low‑income senior property tax exemptions

The Connetquot Central School District Board of Education voted to hold public hearings on two proposed property‑tax exemptions: a statewide volunteer firefighter and volunteer ambulance worker exemption that would reduce the service minimum from five years to two, and an increase in the income thresholds for the low‑income senior citizen and disabled persons exemption.

Why it matters: Both exemptions reduce property tax bills for targeted residents. The board must choose whether to adopt the changes; if it does, the fiscal effect would shift some property tax burden to other taxpayers in the district.

Details of the firefighter exemption: Under current local practice, a volunteer firefighter or ambulance worker who owns and lives in their primary residence must serve five years to qualify for a 10% exemption of assessed value. The proposed change would lower that service requirement to…