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Commission adopts municipal option to extend veterans' dwelling exemption
Summary
The commission approved an ordinance enabling the city to adopt a municipal option to extend dwelling tax exemptions to certain disabled veterans who fall short of a 100% rating under recent state revisions; assessor estimates the change could help about 20'25 additional veterans locally.
The General Counsel Commission voted Oct. 28 to approve an ordinance authorizing the city to adopt a municipal option that expands eligibility for a state-authorized dwelling tax exemption to some veterans who are not rated 100% disabled.
Assessor Damon Brash summarized the evolution of state law: "In 2024, the Connecticut legislature passed a bill which allowed for the complete exemption of the dwelling of a totally and permanently disabled veteran," Brash said, explaining the 2024 law limited the exemption to the dwelling (not outbuildings or acreage). Brash said a 2025 revision clarified that the dwelling exemption applies only to veterans with a 100% disability rating but gave municipalities a public-option to cover veterans with lower ratings who are otherwise considered totally and permanently disabled for other purposes.
Brash told the commission the local adoption of the municipal option "should qualify probably an additional 20, 25 individuals for this exemption," based on a review of last year's applications. Councilwoman Salafia moved the ordinance; the commission approved the motion.
The ordinance will allow the city to process applications under the municipal option established in the state law revision; staff also noted the exemption is transferable to a surviving spouse and that trusts are now permitted under the revised provisions described by staff.
Next steps: Staff will include the commission members on the ordinance documentation as requested and process implementation steps in coordination with the assessor's office.
