Hubbardston assessors sign veterans, elderly and disabled-veteran tax exemptions

The Town of Hubbardston assessors signed statutory tax-exemption paperwork covering combat-injured veterans, elderly exemptions and 100% disabled veterans during the meeting.

"These are all this 22 a a's 22 a's," the staff member said as the assessor'''''''s office presented the veterans exemptions for signature, explaining the exemptions were for veterans injured in combat. Staff stated the veterans receive a $400 exemption tied to those filings and that the applications had been vetted, usually with a letter from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

Assessors also reviewed elderly exemptions and noted the town'''''''s elder exemption amount remains $500 and that the figure had not changed in over a decade. The assessor noted that some exemption programs are set at the state level but that towns may adopt different local provisions for certain programs.

The board signed forms for 100% disabled veterans (referred to in the meeting as "22 double e's"); staff said those recipients receive a $1,000 deduction and that the assessor'''''''s office had confirmation letters showing 100% disability ratings.

Staff said they would complete a few outstanding calculations tied to the recently adopted tax rate and circulate the results to the assessors; the transcript records staff saying they will provide those calculations shortly. The meeting record does not show formal roll-call votes; staff indicated the forms were signed at the meeting.