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Beacon Falls finance board recommends one-time increase in elderly tax relief from $500 to $600
Summary
At its June 9 meeting the Beacon Falls Board of Finance voted to recommend that the Board of Selectmen approve a one-time increase to the town's Elderly and Disabled Homeowner Tax Relief grant from $500 to $600 for the upcoming tax year; the program serves roughly 330 residents and the change raises projected program cost to about $198,000.
The Beacon Falls Board of Finance voted June 9 to recommend that the Board of Selectmen approve a one-time increase to the town's Elderly and Disabled Homeowner Tax Relief grant from $500 to $600 for the upcoming tax year.
First Selectman Gerard F. Smith submitted a memorandum requesting the change and told the board the program currently serves approximately 330 residents. "The $600 amount was discussed with the Board at an earlier meeting and has been incorporated into the current budget, with total projected program cost of approximately $198,000, compared to roughly $165,000 at the current $500 level," the memo states.
Board member B. Catanzaro moved to recommend the one-time increase; S. Leeper seconded the motion and the board voted with all ayes. Chair J. Carroll encouraged the Assessor and the Board of Selectmen to review a revision to the town ordinance so the grant amount would not fluctuate from year to year. The board noted the town attorney is reviewing proposed ordinance revisions and that the Board of Selectmen planned to act quickly so tax bills could be issued on schedule.
The recommendation cites Connecticut General Statutes Section 12-129n as the state law under which the program operates and references the town code (§ 320-23) in the Board of Finance's written recommendation. The Board of Finance's action is advisory: final authority to change the flat grant rests with the Board of Selectmen and any ordinance revision required to make the change permanent.
Next steps: the Board of Selectmen will consider the recommendation; the board and finance staff said tax bills are scheduled to go out on July 1, 2026.
