North Salem Central School District considers tax exemptions for veterans, emergency service workers

At its Tuesday, April 25 Board of Education meeting, the North Salem Central School District will hold a public hearing to consider new property tax exemptions for veterans, volunteer firefighters and ambulance workers.

Volunteer firefighters and ambulance workers would be eligible for an exemption from taxation and assessments levied by the School District of up to 10 percent of the assessed value of their property, exclusive of special assessments. In order to be eligible for the exemption, the workers must have a minimum period of two to five years of volunteer service and own and use their property within the school district as a primary residence.

Any volunteer fire or ambulance members who accrue more than twenty years of active service will be granted a lifetime 10% exemption as long as their primary residence is within the North Salem Central School District.

There are additional provisions for un-remarried spouses of volunteer firefighters or ambulance workers killed in the line of duty.

Eligible veterans include those who actively served during a period of war or received an expeditionary medal, veterans of the Merchant Marine service or the American Field Service, or who served as a Pan American World Airways flight crew and aviation ground support employee.

North Salem would offer the following exemptions for veterans:

• Qualified Wartime Veteran: 15% of Assessed Value / $37,500 cap
• Qualified Combat Veteran: 10% of Assessed Value / $25,000 cap
• Qualified Disabled Veteran: ½ of Disability Rating / $125,000 cap

If passed, the resolution would take effect immediately and be applicable to all future assessment rolls.