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Town introduces local law changing senior exemption calculation, schedules Oct. 14 hearing
Summary
The Town Board introduced a proposed change to the local senior citizen tax exemption to alter whether nontaxable Social Security is counted in income tests and scheduled a public hearing for Oct. 14; the assessor explained fiscal impact and residents spoke during public comment.
The Town of Clinton Town Board introduced a proposed local law to amend Town Code Chapter 210 (taxation) to change how the senior citizen exemption counts nontaxable Social Security income and scheduled a public hearing for Oct. 14, 2025, at 6:25 p.m.
Theresa (the town assessor, who announced she is retiring) explained that unlike the state STAR program, the senior exemption is a local option. If the town adopts a change that removes nontaxable Social Security from the income calculation, the assessor said more seniors may qualify and the town’s share of the exemption cost would rise. The assessor reported that 77 people currently receive the senior exemption and estimated the town’s current cost at about $28,642; she said adopting the change could increase the exempted taxable value from about 1.2% to an estimated 1.8% of total taxable value, and likely raise the town’s dollar cost proportionally.
During public comment a resident urged the board not to include nontaxable Social Security in the calculation, noted neighboring towns’ counts for similar exemptions and asked the board to consider the local fiscal impact and fairness. The board voted to introduce the local law for public review and set the Oct. 14 hearing.
Ending: The board will receive public comment at the Oct. 14 hearing before deciding whether to adopt the proposed amendment to the senior exemption.
