Exemption rises from 5 to 10 percent
Volunteer firefighters and ambulance workers with at least two years of service are eligible for increased property tax relief under a resolution approved at the Tuesday (Feb. 4) meeting of the Haldane school board.
First responders are now eligible for a 10 percent exemption on the assessed value of their primary residence, according to Catherine Platt, the district business manager. The board voted to amend a resolution passed last year that created a 5 percent exemption.
Applicants must reside in and volunteer for an organization within the Haldane school district. A 10 percent lifetime exemption granted to volunteer firefighters and ambulance workers with at least 20 years of service was unchanged. There are also 10 percent exemptions available to the spouses of longtime volunteers who have died.
Platt said that for the 2024-25 school year, 19 residential parcels qualified for the exemption. She expects that number to rise to 34 in 2025-26. The Garrison school district approved a 10 percent exemption for volunteer firefighters and ambulance workers in 2023.
I’m wondering if the property taxes support schools credits will extend to Philipstown firefighters who serve on the Continental Village Volunteer Fire Department. According to this recently adopted law, fire districts that offer mutual aid should receive the benefit. Will Brian Kenney be in charge of applying this credit to the property taxes assessments to all volunteers of fire and ambulance of Philipstown?