HAMILTON — Voters yesterday approved a property-tax break for some senior citizens, a measure that is the first of its kind in the state.
Out of 5,756 eligible voters, residents voted 413-131 in favor of the tax exemption. Voter turnout was 9 percent.
"This vote demonstrates the neighborly generosity of Hamilton voters," former Selectman and Finance Committee member Bob Bullivant said last night. "They understand those senior citizens in need and said they are willing to help."
The vote redistributes Hamilton's tax burden to younger residents, who will see a slight increase — a penny or two per valuation per every $1,000, Bullivant said — in their property tax bills.
The town has put a budget cap on the amount of dollars that can be spent, so there will not be an excessive amount of taxes redistributed, Bullivant added.
Yesterday's vote comes a week after last week's statewide election.
The town hoped to have yesterday's vote the same day as the statewide election, but the secretary of state's office said the town needed to have two votes. Had the town had residents vote for statewide offices and the tax exemption on Nov. 2, residents would have had to wait in line to vote for their candidates and wait in line again to vote on the tax exemption.
"With the anticipated large turnout, we felt we had to wait a week," Bullivant said.
To qualify for the tax exemption, a household must have one member over the age of 70, meet low-income guidelines and must have lived in Hamilton for at least 10 consecutive years. Also, the assessed value of the home must be less than or equal to the town's median assessed property value, currently $403,300, plus 10 percent.
Property taxes of qualifying households would be reduced by no more than 10 percent of their household income. The total tax bills would also be reduced by no more than 50 percent.
Applications for tax exemptions will be due to the assessor's office by Jan. 31.
Eligibility is restricted to household incomes of $33,000 for single seniors, $49,500 for married seniors. The intent of the act is to have selectmen vote on eligibility increases up to $49,499 if single or $74,250 if married.
"That's too high today, but it won't be 20 years for now if the program is still alive," Bullivant said.
Wording in the act doesn't specify who can increase the eligibility requirements or how often, Bullivant said. Town counsel recommended the selectmen file a special amendment with the state.
Selectman Jeff Stinson arrived at the polls just before 7 p.m. to see the final count but was an hour early because he forgot to turn back the clock in his car.
Stinson, after eventually hearing the results, said the vote is a "good step in dealing with our largest hit constituency, which is seniors."
"Hopefully, this will be a bellwether for the rest of the state, and particularly in Hamilton. We will gauge how this works with strict parameters and perhaps expand it," Stinson said.
He added that his only concern is to make sure the benefit to eligible seniors is weighed against the increased burden felt by the average taxpayer.
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