Proposals raise income limits for seniors, disabled
Philipstown would expand tax exemptions for seniors and disabled residents for the first time in 16 years under two local laws proposed on Dec. 5 by the Town Board.
Residents who are 65 and older or disabled are eligible for exemptions from taxes on portions of their properties’ assessed value. The exemption, last raised in July 2009, is based on a sliding scale that starts at 50 percent of the assessed value for incomes below $29,000. As incomes rise, the size of the tax break decreases in increments before ending at 5 percent for incomes between $36,500 and $37,400.
Under the town’s proposals, which are scheduled for a public hearing on Feb. 6, the income floor for senior and disabled property owners would rise to $50,000 and top out at $58,399. At the floor, a qualifying owner whose property’s assessed value is $200,000 would save $347 on their annual tax bill based on the 2025 townwide tax rate.
“I’m proud that the board is doing this,” said Jason Angell, a board member. “It means that a lot more Philipstown residents are going to get some relief.”
Housing pledge
The Town Board on Dec. 5 adopted a pledge required of municipalities seeking to be certified under the state’s Pro-Housing Communities program, which prioritizes participants for $650 million in funding.
The pledge requires municipalities to commit to streamlining permits for residential projects, including multifamily and supportive housing; adopt policies that advance fair housing; incorporate regional housing needs into planning decisions; and increase residential development capacity.
“I always go back to the emergency services volunteers who can’t afford to live in Philipstown,” said Supervisor John Van Tassel. “I’m not saying that this is going to change it, but it’s certainly an avenue to approach it.”
Beacon was certified in May. Peekskill and Newburgh are also certified.
Garrison’s Landing well
Claverack Well & Pump Service will install the pump for the new well the company dug to supply water to homes and businesses in the Garrison Landing Water District.
The Town Board approved the Columbia County firm’s $15,489 bid, the lowest of three submitted. The well is designed to eliminate the need for Philipstown to buy water for the district for $25,000 to $30,000 per month, which it has done since the existing wells stopped supplying enough.
Fees collected from water district customers for operations and maintenance are capped by state law at $20,000 annually, leaving Philipstown to cover the rest.
Hudson Highlands Reserve
Philipstown approved a resolution establishing a $105,000 recreation fee for Hudson Highlands Reserve, a 24-home development on a 210-acre property bounded by Horton Road, East Mountain Road North and Route 9.
The Town Board still needs to approve a conservation easement that will preserve 167 acres as open space.
Regarding the updated senior citizens’ exemption, I don’t understand why the town is just getting on board at this late date. It’s been around for many years. Maybe Philipstown doesn’t have that many low-income seniors to make it worthwhile for the politicians to give them a break?
Anyway, the income limits were recently raised by the state and Putnam Valley and school district officials voted to use the new amounts, which are still ridiculously low, especially compared to the STAR discounts. Here’s a link to the NYS page that explains how it works.
Every politician in Putnam and Dutchess should be lobbying to raise the income limits even further to something that’s more realistic and in line with our actual cost of living around here.