Board authorizes drafting of ordinance to extend disabled-veteran property exemption to up to 2 acres

The Windsor Locks Board of Selectmen on Dec. 2025 authorized the town attorney to draft an ordinance allowing 100% disabled veterans to claim a property tax exemption on their principal residence on up to two acres, and discussed whether outbuildings should be included.

Town counsel explained that the state legislature adopted statutes enabling towns to grant the exemption and that towns may, by ordinance, extend the exemption to include up to two acres "upon which their dwelling" sits. Counsel told the board he would draft an ordinance that could include attached and detached structures and outbuildings and outlined the charter requirements for publication and a public hearing before adoption.

Selectman Mark moved to authorize the attorney to draft the ordinance; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote. Counsel advised that under the town charter ordinances must be published and that the board could hold a public information session before the town meeting and then adopt or forward the ordinance per the required notice schedule. He said a draft could be available for board review at the Jan. 6 meeting, with a public hearing likely in February.

Several members and residents asked procedural and substantive questions. Lee Russo asked whether the ordinance could be written to apply retroactively to the date the exemption issue was raised, saying, "I think it needs to be written so that it's retroactive." Town counsel and the chair said they would take that question under advisement while drafting the language.

The board’s vote authorized drafting and moving forward with the public-notice process; no ordinance was adopted at the meeting. Next procedural steps are preparation of the draft ordinance, publication of the full text in the newspaper as required, scheduling a public hearing and then a town meeting or BOS adoption consistent with the charter and statute.