Abatement plan to help seniors
Date: 10/17/2012
By Carley Dangona
carley@thereminder.comWEST SPRINGFIELD — Mayor Gregory Neffinger announced at a recent press conference that he intends to finalize the senior abatement program, which would offer tax rebates in return to those who volunteer within the town.
"Seniors have come forward, asking about this program, expressing interest in it," Neffinger stated. "I want to push it forward. It [the statute] was actually passed by the selectman in 2000, but was never adopted into legislation."
The mayor had town attorney Simon Brighenti Jr. rewrite the statute for the Town Council to consider as an ordinance.
The current draft tentatively offers abatements for volunteer work completed prior to the request for rebate and no more than 20 seniors may participate annually.
Eligible residents must be 60 or older, own and reside at the property the refund is for, apply for the program yearly, meet the minimum requirements for volunteer openings, and not be a current town employee. The pay rate for services will be equal to the minimum wage at the time the volunteer hours are completed.
"Brighenti will give the recommendation to the town council, probably within the month," Neffinger said. "I expect it'll go to subcommittee. The council can either make the old statute into an ordinance, or completely re-write it [before proceeding]."
