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Date: 12/11/2019
WILBRAHAM – A program run by the Town of Wilbraham is helping seniors stay busy while lowering their property taxes.
The Senior Tax Work-Off Abatement Program is a state program under M.G.L. Chapter 59 Section 5K, that allows for homeowners over the age of 60 to volunteer in their community to offset a portion of their property taxes. Wilbraham adopted the program in 2003.
“It’s been very successful. People love it,” said Herta Dane, director of Human Resources for the Town of Wilbraham.
Dane said it helps both seniors and the town. “The town gets people working for us for not much money and the seniors get out,” and “lower their tax bill,” Dane said. She also said, “taxpayers are benefiting from the superior talent and work experience seniors bring to the job.”
The program compensates residents at a rate of $12 per hour. A total of 125 hours of work for the town will earn the maximum abatement of $1,500 per property.
To qualify for the program, residents must be the assessed owner of a property and have owned and occupied a home in Wilbraham for five years or longer. The positions worked by the seniors in the program run from Jan. 1 to Nov. 30 and the abatement is applied to the property tax bill of the following year, Dane said.
“[The] hours are flexible and will be worked out on an individual basis between the department director and the senior worker,” Dane said in a press release.
Dane said that were it not for the program, the town would likely not hire someone to fill the positions worked through the program. “They do a lot for [the town].”
Dane said there are more applicants each year than positions. “We try to rotate so everybody has a chance,” she said, of which people are chosen for the program.
Applications and information packets are available at the senior center, library, or selectmen’s office, or online at www.wilbraham-ma.gov for residents who are interested in the program. Applications for the 2020 program must be submitted to the Office of the Board of Selectmen by Dec. 30.
The following 22 positions are available this year:
• Library – four pages
• Public Access Television – five production producers
• Selectmen’s Office – one office assistant
• Senior Center – four office assistant/receptionists and two van drivers
• Building Department – one assistant clerk
• Clerk’s Office – two office assistants
• Treasurer/Collector’s Office – three office assistants