HOME RULE LEGISLATION / TO AMEND THE SENIOR CITIZEN PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION  

To see if the Town will vote to authorize and request the Select Board to request the Legislation or Senate and House of Representatives in General Court or other Special Legislation to amend Chapter 285 of the Acts of 2020 “An Act Authorizing the Town of Arlington To Establish A Means Tested Senior Citizen Property Tax Exemption” by inserting the following language at the end of Section 3“; or funded by an appropriation or transfer from existing funds while not exceeding 1 per cent of the municipality’s tax levy.”; or take any action related thereto.

Inserted at the request of the Board of Assessors

VOTE: Favorable Action (4-0).
Mr. Helmuth recused himself.

COMMENT: The Select Board voted unanimously to recommend favorable action on this Article after receiving a presentation from the Town’s Director of Assessments, Dana Mann. Several months ago, the Town began administering a local, means-tested circuit breaker program for seniors permitted by Home Rule Legislation enacted in 2019 and approved by Arlington voters in November, 2023. In response to challenges the Assessors experienced in the program’s initial implementation, this article seeks to provide greater flexibility in determining the funding source of the annual exemption benefit for qualifying senior citizens.

“AN ACT AMENDING THE TOWN OF ARLINGTON’S MEANS TESTED SENIOR CITIZEN PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in the General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:

Section 1. Chapter 285 of the acts of 2020 is hereby amended as set forth below.

 
Section 2. Section 3 of said chapter 285, as so appearing, is hereby amended by inserting “and/or funded by an appropriation or transfer from existing funds while not exceeding 1 per cent of the municipality’s tax levy.” at the end of that Section. 

Section 3. This act will take effect upon its passage.”