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Hudson Central board agrees to study state veterans property‑tax exemption after public push
Summary
Following multiple public comments from veterans and American Legion members, the Hendrick Hudson Board directed staff to study adopting the state‑law basic alternative veterans property tax exemption and to schedule public hearings before a final resolution.
The Hendrick Hudson Central School District Board of Education on Wednesday voted to direct staff to study adoption of the state‑law basic alternative veterans property‑tax exemption and to begin the public‑hearing process.
The action followed public comment from local veterans who urged the board to revisit the exemption. “I just like to thank the board for revisiting the tax exemption,” said Jeff Faella, an American Legion member and Buchanan resident, during the hearing. Joseph Carroll and Chris Beloff, both veterans, told the board surrounding school districts already provide similar exemptions.
In a presentation, Jill Figuerella, the district official leading the briefing, explained how the exemption works and shared Cortlandt town data estimating how the measure would affect the school tax rate. Figuerella said the town data show roughly 299 parcels currently eligible and that adoption at surrounding districts’ common “basic” levels would increase the school tax rate by about $2.01 per $1,000 of assessed value — a change Figuerella illustrated as roughly $15 annually on an average household tax bill in that scenario. “It would increase the tax rate by $2.01,” she said.
Sean Murray, commander of American Legion Post 1030, told the board the exemption represents a reevaluation of assessed value rather than a direct cash payment: “It’s not a dollar value that’s handed to somebody. It’s a reevaluation which basically equates to a percent of a percent,” Murray said, urging a phased approach that could prioritize seniors or disabled veterans.
Board members pressed staff for follow‑up data and timeline specifics. District counsel and staff said the board must notify the town assessor and adhere to statutory deadlines; staff noted March 1 is a key date for notifying the municipality if the district wishes to apply changes for the 2026‑27 tax year. After discussion, a board member moved — and the motion was seconded — to study the state‑law basic minimum exemption (the “basic level”), hold a public comment period and hearing, and return with data and a draft resolution for the board.
The motion carried, with the board asking staff to provide live, dollar‑amount examples (using town assessment figures), an estimate of average household impact, and clarifying data for Peekskill and other neighboring municipalities. The next procedural steps will be a public comment period and public hearing; staff will report back with specific dates and the assessor notification steps required to meet relevant deadlines.
The board did not adopt a final exemption level Wednesday; members said the preliminary direction is to study the basic (state minimum) level and that any final decision would follow public hearings and further analysis.
