The Sweden Town Board will hold a public hearing at 6:15 p.m. on February 22 to hear comments regarding a local law that would grant a property tax exemption to volunteer firefighters and volunteer ambulance personnel. The partial exemption would be for 10% of the assessed value of the property for town and special district purposes (exclusive of special assessments and debt service districts).
There are two types of eligibility for property owners who reside in the Town. The first is for those who are active members of the fire department or ambulance service for at least two years. The second is a lifetime exemption for those who have more than 20 years of active service.
Volunteer departments or services must file a notice with the Town assessor each year prior to March 1 certifying the qualified members. The granting of this benefit does not dimmish any other property tax exemption under Article 4 of the Real Property Tax Law the volunteer might already receive.
“Our volunteer emergency responders provide an invaluable service to our community,” said Supervisor Kevin Johnson. “This partial tax exemption acknowledges that service and hopefully serves as a recruitment and retainment tool. The cost to the taxpayers for paid fire and ambulance service would be astronomical.”
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