MINOA — The Village of Minoa has approved a new real property tax exemption for volunteer firefighters and volunteer ambulance workers.

The exemption is being granted to enrolled, volunteer members of Minoa’s incorporated fire company, fire department or ambulance services who reside in the village.

The exemption is limited to 10% of the assessed value on a primary residence, not taking into account special assessments.

To be eligible, the volunteer must meet a minimum service requirement of five years spent with their emergency response entity.

For an exemption lasting the remainder of an individual’s life, even after retirement, they have to have accrued more than 20 years of active service. The lifetime exemption stands as long as his or her primary residence is located within the state of New York, the local law reads.

Minoa Mayor Bill Brazill said the benefit is also allowed to deceased service members’ spouses.

“With everything they have to go through as far as training, their qualifications and their duties, anything we can do to help out our volunteers by giving them a break in taxes or anything else along the way is well worth it because of the incredible amount of time and dedication they give to serve their community,” Brazill said.

The mayor added that he wishes there was a word to use other than “volunteer,” which he said usually brings to mind his coaching of a Little League team.

“When you really look at it all, we’re still fortunate enough to have a full volunteer fire department with 40 active volunteers,” he said.

Brazill referred to the firefighters and ambulance workers in his village and all around as “unsung heroes.”

“God forbid something happens to your loved one, you know that someone’s going to be there to help them and get them the proper care they need on time,” he said. “We all take that for granted sometimes, but we need those kinds of people who will do that for a living or even volunteer their time to protect us.”

Brazill said the amended law in Minoa also eliminates the $3,000 exemption cap previously in place for volunteer firefighting and ambulance personnel.

Using a form prescribed by the New York State Board of Equalization and Assessment, annual applications for the exemption must be filed with the Village of Minoa or the Town of Manlius assessor as directed by Minoa’s village clerk.