East Haven to Explore Enhancing Tax Relief for Elderly, Disabled and Veterans

The has passed a new ordinance regarding tax relief for the town's elderly, disabled and veterans.

The ordinance — "To grant a yearly Tax Reduction to the elderly, disabled, and also to grant a reduction in assessment to Veterans" — was unanimously approved by council members during their at the Senior Center.

Town Attorney , however, clarified for council members prior to their vote that instead of changing or enhancing the town's current program, the measure only "empowers" East Haven tax officials to gather tax relief data.

That data will then be presented to the town council for their review, she said, to help members determine whether or not the program should be updated and/or enhanced to provide an additional level of benefits to qualifying residents.

"You're voting on a concept that was based on a need that was brought to the attention of the Mayor's Office," Cofrancesco told council members during Tuesday's meeting.

Town Council Chairman James Dougherty agreed.

"It's an exploratory directive," Dougherty said prior to the vote.

"We need to have current data," he said.

                                                    Elderly, Disabled Tax Relief

originally put forward to the elderly, disabled and veterans earlier this fall.

At Tuesday's meeting, the mayor said there currently is a total of 588 people who take advantage of the town's elderly and disabled tax relief programs.

Right now, qualifying residents receive $400 directly off of their annual property tax bill. Capone said if the council decides to raise that relief level by $200 to $600 off of each individual bill, it would cost the town $117,400 in reduced revenue.

A $100 increase to $500 would cost $58,700 to the town, she said.

                                                         Veterans Tax Relief

The veterans tax relief benefit, however, currently is an $8,000 tax credit off of the resident's assessed home value.

Capone has proposed the town council consider raising that credit by $2,000 to $10,000 off of the assessed value.

There was no information provided about the potential cost to the town regarding the proposed veteran's tax relief upgrade.

                                                           A Starting Point

Councilmen Kenneth McKay said the tax relief program has been changed several times over the years. And questioned whether an ordinance was needed for the review.

But East Haven Administrative Director of Town Affairs said the ordinance is simply a starting point for discussion about enhancing the town's tax relief programs.

"People have asked us to entertain increasing the amounts, and that's what we're here for," Hongo said.