Town of Charlton

Saratoga County

Meeting of the Town Board

 

PUBLIC HEARING

 

February 13, 2006

7:15 PM

 

 

The Public Hearing of the Town Board of Charlton, Saratoga County, New York held at 7:15 pm at the Charlton Town Hall, called to order by Supervisor Grattidge.

 

Present:  Councilman Gardner, Councilman Lippiello, Councilman Salisbury, Councilman Verola and Supervisor Grattidge;

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Town Clerk Heather Scribner read the Legal notice that was published in the official newspaper, The Daily Gazette.  The Legal Notice is placed on the sign board at the Charlton Town Hall and also on the Charlton Web site.  Read as follows:

 

LOCAL LAW NO. 2 OF 2006

 

      A LOCAL LAW AUTHORIZING A REAL PROPERTY

               TAX EXEMPTION TO QUALIFIED VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTERS

               AND VOLUNTEER AMBULANCE WORKERS

                     

 

            Be it enacted by the Town Board of the Town of Charlton, Saratoga County, New York, as follows:

 

Section 1.  Title and Authority. 

 

            This local law shall be known as the “Local Law Authorizing a Real Property Tax Exemption to Qualified Volunteer Firefighters and Volunteer Ambulance Workers”.  It is adopted pursuant to the authority of Article 2, Article 3 and Article 10 of the New York State Municipal Home Rule Law.

 

Section 2.  Purpose. 

 

            The Town Board of the Town of Charlton recognizes the roles of the volunteer firefighters and ambulance workers in securing the safety and well-being of our communities.  The Town Board hereby finds that it is in the best interests of the Town of Charlton to encourage volunteerism for said purposes.  The New York State Legislature has amended the Real Property Tax Law, in §466-g, to authorize the Town Board to permit enrolled volunteer firefighters and volunteer ambulance workers to be eligible for real property tax exemption.  To that end, by providing the following exemption, it is the intent to so encourage volunteerism for our various fire and ambulance companies.

 

Section 3.  Meanings.

 

            The meanings of words and expressions as used in this local law shall be identical to their meanings as used in §466-g of the New York State Real Property Tax Law.

 

Section 4.  Exemptions for Certain Volunteer Firefighters and Ambulance Workers.

 

            a.  Real property owned by an individual who has been an enrolled member of an incorporated volunteer fire company, fire department or incorporated voluntary ambulance service in the Town of Charlton and who resides in the Town of Charlton, shall be exempt from taxation to the extent of 10.0% of the assessed value of such property for Town purposes, exclusive of special assessments, and provided however, that such exemption shall in no event exceed $3,000.00 multiplied by the latest State equalization rate for the assessing unit in which such real property is located. b.  Such exemption shall not be granted to an enrolled member of an incorporated volunteer fire company, fire department or incorporated voluntary ambulance service residing in such Town unless:

 

                        i.  The applicant resides in the Town of Charlton;

 

                        ii.  The property is the primary residence of the applicant;

 

                        iii.  The property is used exclusively for residential purposes, provided however, that in the event any portion of such property is not used exclusively for the applicant’s residence, but is used for other purposes, such portion shall be subject to taxation and the remaining portion only shall be entitled to the exemption provided by this section; and

 

                        iv.  The incorporated volunteer fire company or fire department or incorporated voluntary ambulance service has certified that the applicant has been an enrolled member of such incorporated volunteer fire company, fire department or incorporated voluntary ambulance service for at least five years and remains an active enrolled member.

 

            c.  Application for such exemption shall be filed with the Town of Charlton Assessor on or before the taxable status date on a form as prescribed by the Assessor.

 

            d.  No applicant who is a volunteer firefighter or volunteer ambulance worker who by reason of such status is receiving any benefit under the provisions of this article on the effective date of this section shall suffer any diminution of such benefit because of the provisions of this local law.

 

Section 5.  Severability. 

 

            The provisions of this local law are severable and the invalidity of a particular provision shall not invalidate any other provision.

 

Section 6.  Effective Date. 

 

            This law shall be effective upon filing with the Secretary of State.

 

Supervisor Grattidge stated the Assessors have sent out a form to the three fire districts for a list of certified memberships.  The forms would be available at the town hall for those who did not receive them.  The forms would need to be filed by March 1^st.   If both husband and wife are active members in five years standing, they would both receive exemption.

 

Supervisor Grattidge stated this is an opportunity for the public to speak.

 

Trent Mitchell, Eastern Ave asked if the exemption pertains to the fire auxiliary.  Assessor Vicky Hayner stated no it does not include auxiliary, it only includes Firefighters and Ambulance Volunteers.

 

Gerry Baile, Stage Road stated we have no volunteer Ambulance with in the town. We have a corporation within the Town of Ballston and there are some members associated with that.  Would they receive an exemption?  Assessor Vicky Hayner stated yes, the exemption would be where you live.

 

Scott Holbrook Route 67, asked of the $3,000 how much are you actually saving?  Supervisor Grattidge stated considering there is no highway or town tax there is nothing you would save.  The county tax is approximately $2.60 per a thousand, it is not huge. This is the framework the state allowed us to work with and we are passing on to our town.   Mr. Holbrook stated does the paper work need to be done every year.  Assessor Vicky Hayner stated yes.

 

Councilman Salisbury stated I thought this would include the water districts.  Assessor Vicky Hayner stated it would include special districts, which are our fire districts and water districts.  It does not include special assessment.

 

 

A motion made by Councilman Verola seconded by Councilman Gardner to adjourn the Public Hearing.

 

Roll call vote: Councilman Gardner: Aye, Councilman Lippiello: Aye, Councilman Salisbury: Aye, Councilman Verola: Aye, Supervisor Grattidge: Aye  Approved

 

After everyone had the opportunity to speak who wished, the meeting was adjourned.

 

 

Respectfully Submitted,

 

Town Clerk Heather Scribner