Marlborough Hudson

Senior Tax Work Off abatements to increase

By Maureen Sullivan Assistant Editor

MARLBOROUGH – Eligible residents in the Senior Citizen Tax Work Off Program will soon see a hike in their property tax abatements.

The City Council referred to its Finance Committee a measure to increase the limit in the Senior Citizen Tax Work Off Program from $1,000 to $1,500 during its Feb. 13, meeting.

“This program has been ongoing since my tenure as mayor, and we really value the services that our senior population offers to departments who may be shorthanded, or are in need of assistance because of additional seasonal workload. The City Council is allowing us to increase the abatement amount from $1,000 to $1,500 per homeowner. This is a win-win for us and our eligible seniors,” said Mayor Arthur Vigeant.

Under the program, residents age 60 and older who have resided in the city for at least five years and are eligible under income guidelines may work for the city in exchange for a one-time abatement of their property taxes.

Departments in Marlborough have used seniors who participate in the program in a number of ways, including as City Hall greeters, clerical help with the Board of Health and inspectional services, work with the engineering department and assisting with work on outdoor trails and maintenance and landscaping projects at public housing.