The Property Tax Assistance Program Annual Report substantiates the Town Council’s recent efforts to expand tax relief for seniors through amendments to the Chapter 27 Property Tax Assistance Ordinance. Issued on December 6, 2024, by former Assessor Clinton Swett, the report shows a significant increase in qualifying applicants since the program’s launch in 2019.  

In the first year,132 qualifying applicants received reimbursements from the Town for a total of $64,407.  The income limit was $60,000, and reimbursement was fixed at $500. Following amendments to the ordinance approved by the council on September 9, 2024, which raised the income limit to $70,000 and introduced tiered benefits ranging from $750-$1,500, the number of eligible applicants for 2025 jumped to 242 - for a total of $289,240 in reimbursements.  In part, the increase in applicants was driven by greater marketing efforts by town staff and community outlets. However, the council’s financial commitment allowed the program to reach more residents.  

The expanded program, initially earmarked for $95,000 in the FY 2025 budget, estimated a total cost of $300,000 to fund. As a result, following the September 9 vote to accept amendments to the ordinance, the council took a second vote to appropriate the needed funding from the Unassigned Fund Balance. As budget season begins, the success of the program and qualifying parameters will ideally be considered within the municipal budget instead of the Unassigned Fund Balance, which is currently below target levels.

For more informaiton, please visit our Senior Tax Relief Program page.