Article 35 passed with nearly unanimous support on Monday, granting significant property tax relief to some of Milton's most vulnerable residents. The article authorizes a 100% additional exemption for qualifying blind persons, veterans, surviving spouses, and seniors who already receive personal exemptions on their primary residences.

Warrant Committee Chair Jay Funing explained that the recommendation was narrowed during the meeting to focus specifically on expanding these exemptions. He noted that a separate portion of the HERO Act had already been adopted by the town last June, making a redundant vote unnecessary. We've changed our recommendation to just be clause two, Funing said, clarifying that the goal was to provide maximum support to those already qualifying for domiciliary exemptions.

During the brief discussion, Member Michael Chinman attempted to raise a question regarding senior tax deferrals, but Moderator Robert Hiss ruled the inquiry outside the specific scope of Article 35. The expansion of these exemptions arrives as Town Meeting members have previously expressed concern over the town's rising tax burden on seniors, with some members in earlier sessions noting that recent budget increases have outpaced Social Security adjustments.

Motion: That the town vote to accept the provisions of Massachusetts General Laws chapter 59 section 5C and a half to provide an additional property tax exemption of 100% for taxpayers who already qualify for personal exemptions on their domiciles under Mass General Laws chapter 59 section 5 including certain blind persons, veterans, surviving spouses and seniors.

Vote: Passed 190-1-2