Exeter council directs staff to draft resolution seeking state authorization for additional veterans exemption

Exeter — The Exeter Town Council discussed expanding local property-tax relief for certain veterans and directed staff to draft a resolution asking the General Assembly to authorize the change.

Councilors considered a proposal to add a supplemental $5,000 exemption targeted at veterans who are 100% disabled and already eligible for the existing $5,000 veterans exemption. A councilor explained the change would be additive: eligible veterans would receive the current exemption plus the proposed additional exemption.

Council legal and policy discussion focused on the proper process for changing exemptions that require state authorization. One councilor outlined the steps: the council would draft a resolution asking the General Assembly to adopt a statute authorizing the municipal exemption, and the resolution would be forwarded to Exeter’s state representative for introduction at the legislature. The council voted to direct staff (Carrie) to draft that resolution and return it for future consideration.

The meeting record does not show the council adopting an ordinance or setting a final exemption amount into local law; it records only the directive to prepare state-level enabling language and to explore any state requirements or legislative approvals needed before local adoption.