City Council approves hourly rate increase for Senior Citizen Property Tax Work-Off Abatement Program

By Barbara Taormina

REVERE – The City Council unanimously voted to adjust the city’s Senior Citizen Property Tax Work-Off Abatement Program to offer more assistance to seniors struggling to keep up with bills and stay in their homes.

Councillor-at-Large Michelle Kelley explained several proposed changes that will bring the city’s abatement program into alignment with state law. The hourly rate seniors will earn is set at minimum wage, $15 an hour. The abatement amount has been increased from $750 to $1,000, which required an increase in hours for participants from 62 to 66.6. Kelley also proposed increasing funding for the city account that covers the Work-Off Abatement from $25,000 to $70,000.

Councillors had questions, including whether or not the city can afford the program with the changes.

Former City Council candidate Anthony Parziale, who became a community activist after opposing a homeless shelter in his Arcadia Street neighborhood, said he doesn’t like the idea of seniors having to work for minimum wage for money they never see that goes directly to taxes. Parziale said seniors should simply receive a discount.

“The mayor has to look at it to see if we can afford it,” said Ward 2 Councillor Ira Novoselsky. “Someone has to pay for it.”

But Councillor-at-Large Anthony Zambuto suggested the money wouldn’t be an issue. “If we can’t afford this, we’re in bigger trouble than I think we are,” said Zambuto.

Councillor-at-Large Marc Silvestri said he supports the abatement program but added that over the past six or eight years fewer than 100 residents were recipients. The program offers 50 abatements for property taxes and 50 for water and sewer bills.

Councillor-at-Large Robert Haas suggested the lack of recipients could be due to the income level requirements, which, he added, needs to be reexamined.

Councillors voted to increase the lottery for the Work-Off abatement from a minimum of 50 to a minimum of 70.

City CFO Richard Viscay said funding the program is doable and just requires making sure an overlay account used for abatements is adequately funded. Viscay said he isn’t sure if the changes would draw more residents into the program. “It certainly can’t hurt to offer it,” said Viscay. “Taxes are going up and people need some relief.”

Councillors also had questions about whether a family member or volunteer can work off the hours to earn a tax break for a senior, which some felt made the program too confusing.

But Councillor Haas said he worked with participants in the tax work off program who were at the Senior Center. Haas said it was a great group, eager to work and willing to help out in any way. Ward 6 Councillor Chris Giannino said the same about seniors who were assigned to work at the police station.

Questions about income and stand-in volunteers will continue to be hammered out by the council’s Legislative Affairs Subcommittee, but for this year, and the budget cycle, the abatements are available for eligible seniors. Applications for the program are available at the Mayor’s Office and the Assessor’s Office.