Town Meeting members approved Article 35 on Monday, authorizing a significant increase in property tax exemptions for vulnerable residents. The article, which accepts the provisions of Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 59, Section 5C 1/2, provides an additional property tax exemption of 100% for taxpayers who already qualify for existing personal exemptions, such as veterans, blind persons, surviving spouses, and seniors.

Select Board Chair Winston Daly clarified that a portion of the original article had been struck because the town had already adopted the HERO Act in June, which covers specific veteran exemptions. As you see for item one, we no longer need to vote for that at this meeting. That was voted on in June, Daly explained. The remaining measure focused on ensuring those who qualify for exemptions receive the maximum allowable local relief.

Warrant Committee Chair Jay Funing noted that a minor grammatical error on the informational green sheet was corrected before the vote. One resident, Michael Chinman, inquired about senior tax deferrals during the discussion, but Moderator Robert Hiss ruled the query out of scope for this specific article. The vote follows a pattern of town efforts to provide relief as residents face rising costs, including a potential future override and increased assessments.

Motion: To accept the provisions of MGL c. 59 § 5C 1/2 to provide an additional property tax exemption of 100% for taxpayers who already qualify for personal exemptions.

Vote: Passed 190-1-2