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Date: 7/27/2023
BLANDFORD — Town Administrator Christopher Dunne said state legislators are accepting comments on a bill to give the town’s local volunteer firefighters a break on their taxes.
“Many towns request the option for tax breaks for our volunteer firefighters. By definition, they serve without pay at great personal risk at times. This is one way communities like Blandford can try to give back,” Dunne said.
The petition was submitted by Blandford’s legislators, state Rep. Nicholas Boldyga (R-Southwick) and state Sen. Paul Mark (D-Becket). It would authorize the town to reduce real estate and motor vehicle or trailer excise taxes for firefighters, line officers and deputy chiefs of the Blandford Fire Department in exchange for their volunteer service. The maximum individual reduction in property taxes would be $250 per year. The act was referred to the Joint Committee on Revenue.
Written testimony on behalf of the bill may be submitted to the Joint Committee on Revenue via email to jointcommittee.revenue@malegislature.gov or to the Joint Committee on Revenue at 24 Beacon St., Room 34, Boston, MA 02133, with bill number H.2716 in the subject of the email. The committee is accepting written testimony until 5 p.m. Friday, July 28.