Tax Relief Fund For Seniors, Disabled Heads to Town Meeting

A tax relief program for senior and disabled Westborough residents hinges on a vote at the Oct. 21 fall special town meeting.

One warrant article asks voters to approve a state law allowing municipalities to create a tax relief fund to assist seniors and the disabled, Selectman Timothy Dodd told selectmen recently.

Community members, including businesses, could voluntarily donate to the fund, he said.Selectmen created ad hoc committee to explore accepting the law, noted Dodd, who served on it with Westborough Council on Aging/Senior Center Director Alma Demanche, Assistant Town Manager/Human Resources Director Kristi Williams, Selectmen Vice Chairman George Barrette, Treasurer/Collector Joanne Savignac and Chief Assessor Linda Swadel.

Town meeting is at 7 p.m. Oct. 21 in the Westborough High School auditorium.

"This board has a history: we want to make every single senior tax relief program available in the Commonwealth to the people of Westborough," Barrette said.

Dodd said the treasurer could invest the donations to the fund.Senior and disabled residents could apply to the fund under regulations, which Dodd presented in draft form.

The state law establishes a five-member committee to review applications, he said.