While March brings thoughts of budgets and warrant articles to most town boards and committees, for one committee the month signifies only one thing: the start of its annual appeal for donations to defray property tax costs for Harvard residents in need of help. The Elderly and Disabled Taxation Aid Committee’s appeal was mailed as an insert with motor vehicle excise tax bills on February 27. Aside from a small cost for the mailing, every penny donated to the fund is applied directly to a recipient’s tax bill. According to committee Chairwoman Laura Andrews, these donations enable some residents to stay in their homes in Harvard.
How’s the program doing?
Established by Town Meeting in 2002, the Elderly and Disabled Tax Fund has grown from an average yearly donation total of $13,000 in the first five years to $17,000 in recent years. According to Andrews, donations dropped dramatically during the 2008–2010 recession. When donations are low, the committee requests additional funds from the Board of Selectmen, and those funds come from the Rantoul Trust for the Elderly. But with less than $28,000 remaining in that trust, using it to make up shortfalls for the Elderly and Disabled Tax program is not sustainable. The committee’s goal for fiscal 2016 is $20,000. “This year’s tough winter is going to cost everyone more than expected, so we’re not sure if that will affect donations,” said Andrews.
The number of applications has been fairly steady over the years. Andrews thinks the committee does a good job of getting the word out to potential applicants, aided by committee member Debbie Thompson, director of the Council on Aging (COA), who has a good sense of which residents might qualify. But, Andrews added, she’s sure there must be more residents who could benefit from the program.
How does it work?
To be eligible, a disabled or elderly (over 65) person must have income lower than $35,000; for a couple, the limit is $45,000. Liquid assets are also considered, as are extraordinary circumstances. Grant amounts vary from 30 to 100 percent of a recipient’s property tax bill for the fiscal year. The amount granted to each recipient is based on total donations, the number of applicants, and each applicant’s individual circumstances. Grants are deducted directly from the tax bills of recipients, in equal quarterly amounts, beginning on July 1. Andrews said that the fund helps a dozen or fewer residents each year, and added, “It doesn’t help a tremendous number of people, but it does help a small number of people stay in town.”
It’s difficult to say what the future demand on the fund will be. As Andrews pointed out, no one knows how many people in town will be in financial difficulty over the next five or 10 years. But for now, thanks to the generosity of Harvard residents, this program is working for the anonymous few who ask for help. “You don’t know the people you’re contributing to,” said Andrews. “You’re just contributing to the idea of helping people. They may be strangers, or they may be your neighbor.”
How to apply
Information and applications are available at Town Hall, the library, and the COA, as well as on the Elderly and Disabled Taxation Aid Committee webpage at www.harvard.ma.us/Pages/HarvardMA_BComm/TaxAid/index. This year’s application deadline is May 15, and all applicants will be notified of the committee’s decisions by June 15. Help with the application is available through the COA, and all information is kept strictly confidential.
