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Select Board adopts revised Senior and Veterans Tax Work‑Off policy
Summary
The board adopted a revised Senior and Veterans Tax Work‑Off policy that clarifies eligibility (seniors 60+, veterans regardless of age), ties abatement amounts to Chapter 59 provisions, changes timesheet reporting to monthly, and includes outreach measures to notify eligible residents.
The Select Board voted on Nov. 26 to adopt a revised Senior and Veterans Tax Work‑Off policy, which aims to clarify eligibility rules, streamline the application and improve outreach to potential participants.
Staff and town counsel drafted the policy to reference Massachusetts General Laws (Chapter 59 provisions cited in the record) and to align abatement amounts with statutory authority rather than fixed dollar amounts. Under the policy the senior category is age‑based (60 years and older) while veterans qualify based on veteran status; the policy ties the abatement thresholds to Chapter 59 sections 5K and 5N as adopted at town meeting. Board members approved administrative edits to separate senior and veteran eligibility language, and agreed to change approved timesheet frequency from weekly to monthly. Staff outlined an outreach plan that includes a brochure, cable TV information and the possibility of a flyer in tax bills to point eligible residents to the program and application materials.
The motion to adopt the policy (with the stated edits) passed unanimously.
