Veterans committee outlines plan to adopt HEROES Act real-estate exemption, urges individual donations for 2026 parade

At a Jan. 14 Veterans Committee meeting, attorney Jim LaManna told members the state HEROES Act allows municipalities to adopt a real-estate tax exemption for veterans and that Lynn’s financial team (mayor, assessor and CFO) is running estimates of the cost and will present a recommendation for council action in time for a potential July 1 effective date. LaManna said excise-tax exemptions for veterans are already in effect and that the earliest a real-estate exemption could start is July 1 if the council acts in advance.

Committee members asked whether an exemption could be 100% and LaManna said city staff were still running scenarios (e.g., 20%, 40%, 70%) to determine the fiscal impact. He said a recommendation in some form is expected and that there is no retroactive loss for veterans if the council acts before July 1.

Separately, committee members received program updates (outreach for women veterans, a Hero Meals program serving veteran families, and a fundraising event in memory of Corporal Andy Jose Martinez). The committee discussed support for the Veterans and First Responders parade planned for 2026; members said the committee as a body cannot directly make the donation but urged committee members and others to donate personally to support the parade’s planning.

No formal council vote to adopt the HEROES Act exemption occurred at the meeting; LaManna and staff said a formal recommendation and council vote will be required before any exemption takes effect.