Brunswick town council discusses a property tax assistance program Monday night. (Hannah LaClaire/The Times Record)
BRUNSWICK — The town council approved a property tax rent and rebate program Monday night designed to help give Brunswick seniors some tax relief.
The program will be funded through the budget process and contributions and will go into effect next year.
To qualify, a person needs to be at least 70 years old, have lived in a Brunswick home for at least 10 years and be up to date on current property taxes. Applicants will need to be approved for the state Property Tax Fairness Credit Program, which allows for a rebate of up to $600 for single individuals with a maximum income of $33,333 and head of household claiming two or fewer exemptions making $43,333 or more than two exemptions making no more $53,333. Residents 65 and older can qualify for a refund of up to $900.
In 2016, 236 people were granted state credits, with an average value of $303, with a total credit value of $71,508.
Jean Powers, who spoke during the public hearing, thanked the council for bringing this forward. Her own husband would be 80 soon, and like many others, has “supported Brunswick over the years” through property taxes. “It’s a great idea,” she said, adding that she hopes people will donate to the program’s funding.
Census data shows that 21 percent of Brunswick residents are 65 or older and the median value of owner-occupied housing is $198,400.
Dan Ankeles, who was elected as the next town councilor in the November election, said during the hearing he was “very broadly in favor of doing something like this,” although he questioned how the board arrived at the 70-and-above restriction. Many other towns have a 65-and-older requirement.
Councilor Jane Millett however, said that since the credits are prorated by the number of people and “resources are finite” the town wanted to be conservative.
There are similar programs around the state in communities like Saco, Cumberland, Scarborough, Harpswell, Portland and others, which Brunswick officials used as a model when creating the program.
Additionally, Brunswick tax assistance program states that “no applicant would be eligible for assistance at an amount greater than the amount of tax remaining after applying the credit received under that State’s Property Tax Fairness Credit Program.”
Councilor James Mason, while in support of the program, added that he was disappointed that there was an age requirement at all.
“I don’t believe poverty is bound by age,” he said. “If it’s a senior tax program, that’s what we should call it,” he added, noting that the program is instead just called a tax assistance program.
Councilor Steve Walker agreed and added that looking at the numbers, most participants of the property tax fairness credit were not elderly, but working families.
Chairman John Perrault said that perhaps in a year, once they have rolled out the program, they can evaluate it and consider making changes.
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