Tax exemption increase eyed

Thursday, February 9, 2012

MILFORD – Selectmen aren’t recommending a petition article that would help some elderly homeowners stay in their homes, but that doesn’t mean the proposal is dead.

The petition, initiated by Helen Cady of Crosby Street, would increase the income level for an elderly homeowner tax exemption, for single people, from $30,000 to $38,600. Although selectmen voted against it unanimously, Selectman Kathy Bauer, at the town Deliberative Session, said the board supports the general concept but wants to look at the entire program. The town Advisory Budget Committee didn’t vote on the petition, as they did the other warrant articles, but Chairman Matt Lydon said they too support the concept.

At the meeting, Cady said the poor real estate market is preventing many elderly people from selling their homes and “the old model of children helping parents has been reversed.”