Town hears state-driven property tax exemption changes; March 1 opt-in deadline noted

Judith McManski (Speaker 5) presented a summary of six 2025 changes to state property-tax law and advised the town how each change would operate if the town chooses to opt in. McManski said the senior citizen exemption currently caps at 50% of assessed value but under the proposed option the local maximum could rise to 65% for qualifying residents; she noted roughly 80 residents currently receive the senior exemption and a small subset could see a larger adjustment.

McManski outlined other options under the new law: certain veterans who meet 100% VA disability criteria could receive a 100% exemption; surviving spouses of volunteer firefighters or EMS and surviving spouses of police officers killed in the line of duty could be eligible for up to 50% exemptions; active-duty service members serving in a combat zone could receive a reduction equal to 25% or $20,000 of assessed value (the latter amount would be the practical maximum on the town’s rolls); and local authorities could adopt an exemption for real-property transfers to low-income households with a locally set exemption percentage.

Board members asked clarifying questions about income thresholds, trust-owned property eligibility and timing: McManski said local opt-in ordinances must be adopted by March 1 to affect the upcoming tax year, but the town can adopt later and have the change take effect the following year. The chair suggested scheduling a public hearing and the board asked McManski to run town-specific impact numbers on the senior exemption so the board could discuss options at a follow-up meeting.