New tax program would help veterans

Date: 8/15/2012

By G. Michael Dobbs

news@thereminder.com

HOLYOKE — Mayor Alex Morse believes there are at least 20 veterans in the city who could take advantage of a proposed program at assist them on the payment of their property taxes.

Morse wants the city to set up a program now sanctioned by state law that would allow qualified veterans to receive a $1,000 abatement on property taxes in exchange for 100 to 125 hours of volunteer work for the city.

Calling the abatement "a significant amount of money," Morse said the abatement could help older veterans or younger ones "who want to return to the workforce."

Morse noted the city has had a tax abatement program for senior citizens for the last 10 years and said the proposed one "seems [to be] a logical program to support."

City Councilor Aaron Vega said that of the city's veterans some would be eligible for the existing senior tax abatement program and this new program would make more eligible to work off part of their taxes.

"It's a great opportunity for the city," Vega said.

Vega added it was an honor for him to have submitted the ordinance to the City Council as he has a number of veterans in his family.

City Treasurer Jon Lumbra said the average property tax in the city is $3,500. He added that there is $478,000 allocated in the city's budget to cover the abatements.

"There will be no additional burdens for the taxpayers," he said.

Director of Veterans' Services Debbie Malek said, "I can't tell you how thrilled I am that the city has jumped so quickly on the bandwagon [to create this abatement program]."

Malek said that she polled her colleagues and believes only four other communities in the Commonwealth are establishing similar programs.

She has had a number of veterans coming to her office commenting on the increase in property taxes, she added.

Vega said the City Council will add more parameters to the program and will vote to approve it.