NAHANT — At the Board of Assessors meeting on Wednesday, the Board of Selectmen approved a work-off abatement program that offers eligible veterans and seniors the option to participate in a program to “work off,” or reduce, their taxes.
By working for 105 hours, participants are eligible to reduce $1,500 from their real estate taxes on Nahant properties.
Veterans can participate in the program at any age and with any income. Seniors must be over 60 years of age and meet certain income requirements.
“We have a lot of elderly work-off abatement program workers in the Town Hall at the Council on Aging, in the assessor’s office, sometimes working upstairs in the treasurer collector’s office. We’ve had them work in DPW [Department of Public Works]. We’ve had them work at the fire station with different clerical tasks,” said Town Administrator Tony Barletta at the Oct. 19 Selectmen meeting.
There are currently 12 veterans and seniors working for the town. In addition to the departments mentioned by Barletta, the Nahant School Committee also offers work-off program positions. One participant currently works at the school.
The Board of Assessors can make changes to the program going forward, if needed. Enrollment is currently open. Interested veterans and seniors can contact Sheila Hambleton, Town Assessor, or go to the assessor’s office.
More information can be found on the Town of Nahant’s website at https://nahant.org/assessor/exemptions/.
