Terry Rothermel, Chair
Pam Hanson, Clerk
Peggy Briggs, Selectman
Robert Andrews
Margaret Hoag
Robert Hilsinger
Joan Walsh
Following on the recommendations of an earlier study committee, the Selectmen named this task force in the summer of 2005. Its purposes were to implement, as practical, the recommendations of the earlier committee, i.e. to:
develop an outreach program to inform seniors and others of available programs to provide tax relief;
create a private fund to support tax relief for seniors and non-seniors in Concord;
consider the plusses and minuses of the residential exemption in the assessment process;
work with Town boards towards discounts in Town-owned utilities;
conduct legislative advocacy for increasing the number of eligible elders under existing and new State programs; and
establish eligibility criteria that are easy to understand and to implement.
Utility Discounts
In 2006, the committee worked with the Public Works Commission and Light Board to establish discounts on basic usage for qualifying customers, both seniors and non-seniors. The discounts were established on different criteria, so the committee is now working to have the same criteria be used by both Town departments.
Private Fund
Progress works in funny ways sometimes in Town affairs. The Task Force initially felt that setting up a private fund would require a significant effort by a volunteer board. However, in late 2006, the Selectmen initiated an appeal to citizens to donate towards the financial needs of the Town and its citizens. It was a heartwarming success, and most of the donations were not earmarked for specific needs. Hence the Selectmen designated the bulk of the funds be placed in the hands of the existing Hugh Cargill Trust Committee to offset the taxes of qualified citizens -- again both seniors and non-seniors. The Selectmen have made a similar request of donors for fiscal 2007-2008, and success is defined this time by a 50% increase in the number of donors!
Outreach Program
The #1 recommendation of the earlier Review Committee was that an outreach program be initiated which would result in eventually contacting all of the seniors in Town who might need tax relief. A pilot program of this kind was undertaken in November-December 2007. Its purpose was to assure that contacted seniors knew of the tax assistance programs that are available. The initial effort of about 100 contacts has proven the worth of the program. Already many seniors have followed up and are receiving their deserved benefits. A full program will be continued in early 2008. It may take a year or so for a small group of volunteers to contact all prospects among our seniors.
A Local Income Tax
In early 2007, the Tax Task Force created a Local Tax Fairness Subcommittee with a specific mission: “to investigate the means to reduce the dependency of Concord on the residential property tax by the institution of a local income tax.” The Task Force considers the possibility of a local income tax and other similar legislation to be a long shot -- one clearly under the control of the Commonwealth. In order that the main Task Force be able to focus on more likely solutions, the subcommittee was formed of a group of advocates with the commitment to see what can be done.
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