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"Foley, Fiore-Rosenfeld, and Board Widen Seniors’ Tax Break." More Seniors Will Get a Break on Town Taxes FEBRUARY 6, 2007, FARMINGVILLE, NY--Brookhaven Town Supervisor Brian X. Foley announced that the Brookhaven Town Board unanimously approved on Tuesday night a resolution introduced by Councilman Steve Fiore-Rosenfeld that will substantially increase the number of senior citizens eligible for tax exemptions varying from 5 to 50 percent, dependent on income level. The Supervisor said the tax break was a top priority for him. “We have to do everything we can to make sure our senior citizens can continue to call Brookhaven Town home,” said Supervisor Foley, “and increasing the number of seniors who qualify for an exemption from town taxes is one important way in which we can do that. I would like to thank the Town Board for its unanimous support of this legislation. We want to make sure that families can stay together in Brookhaven Town, living in and sharing the same communities, that grandparents will be here for their children and grandchildren.” “Given the fixed income which most seniors are surviving on, whenever our Town can take an action to assist our seniors in continuing to live independently in their own homes we must,” said Councilman Fiore-Rosenfeld. “I thank the Town Board for supporting my motion to upgrade our Town tax breaks to seniors to the maximum allowable under state law.” “Too many of our senior citizens find themselves in a financial hole month after month,” said Councilwoman Connie Kepert. “And I say that when we see a segment of our population so vulnerable and in a hole, we need to stop the digging. I am happy to report that the Foley Administration has stopped the digging and relief is on the way for the senior citizens of Brookhaven Town. I hope that this measure will help one of our most precious resources, our seniors, stay here and enjoy their golden years along with their children.” “One of my highest priorities has been in passing resolutions to reduce the tax burden of our senior citizens,” said Councilwoman Carol Bissonette. “The unanimous passing of the resolution increasing income levels for tax reduction for of our senior citizens has been achieved and is the first step in achieving long term goals. This new scale will assist our seniors in providing increased reduction levels based on income. At a time when far too many of our senior residents must make painful choices with regard to their fixed incomes, this new scale will provide additional tax relief today and continuing forward to 2010. This demonstrates another commitment fulfilled to the residents of Brookhaven Town.” “I am happy to see this resolution had unanimous support,” said Councilwoman Kathy Walsh. “I would like to add that it is great to see all levels of government focused on ways to assist in reducing the burden of taxes, yet we also need to stay committed to providing a quality education for our students. The current formula for funding education is not working, so it is my hope that we will continue to listen to taxpayers and the education system and work together for a solution. Giving relief to seniors is a good start but the way education as a whole is funded needs to be addressed.” “It is my pleasure to support legislation targeting relief for our seniors who want to remain on Long Island with their families,” said Councilman Tim Mazzei. “Our senior citizens deserve every opportunity for tax relief,” said Councilman Kevin McCarrick. “As the liaison to the Senior Citizens Division in the Town of Brookhaven, I believe we must make sure that our seniors are aware of all programs, services and financial assistance available.” The new income levels for tax exemptions will increase $2,000 for this tax year, and then another $1,000 in both 2008 and 2009. In 2006, the exemptions ranged from 50 percent for someone with an annual income under $24,000 to 5 percent for someone with an income of up to $32,400. In this year, those levels will raise an annual income of $26,000 to receive the 50 percent exemption to $34,000 to receive the 5 percent exemption. Those levels will increase by another $1,000 in both 2008 and 2009. “Some of these people just can’t even buy medication for themselves so any decrease that these people would get would be a godsend to them,” said senior citizen Mary Bonsignore of Centereach. “It will be scaled to a person’s income - that’s the most important thing,” said Raymond Bonsignore. “If everyone gets the same thing, then the rich get richer and the poor get poorer. The poor never seem to gain too much. If it’s going to be scaled, I think it’s a very good idea on the part of the town.” “I encourage school districts to follow suit by increasing the income levels for senior citizen tax exemptions,” said Supervisor Foley. “School taxes are the single largest item on the tax bill, and our seniors need to have that burden lifted.”
Posted on Thursday, February 08, 2007 (Archive on Sunday, April 08, 2007)
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