SAUGUS — With Town Meeting less than a month away and the Annual Town Warrant closed by the Board of Selectmen on Tuesday, Precinct 2 Town Meeting Member Matthew Parlante is pushing for a senior property tax work-off program.
In 2014, the Town of Saugus adopted Mass. General Laws c.59 § 5K, which states, “in exchange for such volunteer services, the city or town shall reduce the real property tax obligations of such person over the age of 60.”
Though the town adopted the statute, it has not yet been implemented. Parlante’s goal is to get the program rolling as soon as possible, which he proposed in his Article for Town Meeting.
Parlante mentioned that other towns and cities have implemented the program successfully, including Andover, Winchester, Dennis, Hamilton, and Revere.
“These are other communities that use this type of program. There are so many seniors living on fixed incomes, such as Social Security pensions. The property taxes can be a major burden for them. This program helps them age in a place without being taxed out of their homes,” he said.
One concern that Parlante addressed was whether people with disabilities would be able to participate in the work-off program.
“There’s a concern with disabilities. People who might not be able to physically do it. Did you know that the law now allows them to designate someone to help them? They can have those people in place of them to do the work, or they can work from home with flexible scheduling,” he said.
One of the policies included in the Article is: allowing eligible residents aged 60 or older to volunteer services to the Town in exchange for a work-based, earned abatement of up to $2,000 per fiscal year, based on a rate not exceeding the current Commonwealth minimum wage.
Parlante went on to explain how the exemptions would be covered.
“The overlay budget: It’s a reserve account set aside every year to cover tax abatements, including exemptions and stuff like that. It’s built into the town’s tax levy, so it’s already accounted for. The town doesn’t raise new taxes to cover exemptions. They use funds from this overlay, and the senior work-off program comes from that pool just like other abatements,” he said.
When asked what caused him to push for the program, he said, “Having conversations with seniors and hearing the impact of their financial situations and the overwhelming financial burden that they experience.” Parlante continued that he was looking to help people, especially seniors, who are experiencing financial difficulties right now.
