This is from the override advocacy group Yes for Melrose.
MELROSE — As the November 4 election day grows near, volunteers who are advocating for an override often hear the same worry: “I saw a sign saying ‘don’t tax us out’ — and I don’t want to tax out a neighbor! How can we help?” It’s a scary idea, and override advocates do not want to tax out neighbors and residents. They want a healthy, stable, multigenerational city.
Our local taxes help us all live in a community with services we can rely on. And this includes support for the most financially vulnerable Melrosians. When we cut the funding for the Council on Aging, we’re cutting transportation options for people who can’t afford to just call a cab. When we cut the city social services coordinator, there is no one to help residents find access to programs and resources for food, housing, and healthcare. When we cut classroom support for the youngest students, we take help away from the kids whose parents can’t just hire a tutor. Local taxes affect all local residents.
At the same time, we want to make sure our neighbors are aware of all the options in Melrose for property tax assistance. The City of Melrose has a number of Property Tax Exemptions and Deferrals for seniors, veterans, surviving spouses, and people with disabilities, all of which can be viewed on the city website (cityofmelrose.org/219/Real-Estate-Tax-Exemptions). Here are a few notable items:
• A property tax exemption to seniors who receive the MA Senior Circuit Breaker Tax Credit – Melrose is one of only a few municipalities that offers this, and the program was recently reauthorized by the City Council and signed into law by the Governor.
• Deferment of property taxes until the sale of the home for eligible residents.
• The new Melrose Elderly & Disabled Tax Relief Fund, which provides one-time distributions. This is funded through resident donations, and managed by a group of citizens, allowing us to provide assistance to neighbors in need.
• The Senior Property Tax Work-off Program, for residents age 60 and older, where residents are assigned jobs in exchange for up to $2,000 off their property tax bill. This program is managed by the Council on Aging.
• The Water, Sewer & Trash Discount Program for seniors as well as residents in specific income ranges. The program gives discounts between 20-100%.
• For those who live in senior resident buildings, their rent is income/asset based and the override will not and cannot affect their rent.
These programs exist to prevent people from being “taxed out.” The cost of housing in the Boston area, and other areas, has risen in ways that challenge many. But these cost increases are not the result of local taxes. Instead, Melrose’s taxes have a direct impact on the stability, function, and long term health of the place we live. A no vote on the override would mean additional cuts next year, and more harm to Melrose residents. A successful override is the way to keep Melrose a strong, multigenerational community that continues to thrive.
Yes for Melrose is a multi-generational, non-partisan campaign supporting a tax override to fund public resources for every Melrose resident. Learn more at www.yesformelrose.org.