BALDWINSVILLE — The Van Buren Town Board is considering an increase in the income limit for senior property tax exemptions to $37,000 per year.
New York State allows municipalities and school districts to grant eligible senior citizens a reduction in the taxable assessment of a residence by up to 50%. Governments can set an income cap of between $3,000 and $50,000.
“The $37,000 is the same as what the county offers for an income limit. Ours right now is $29,000,” Town Supervisor Mary Frances Sabin said at the Dec. 7 meeting.
Sabin said the new income limit would exempt $23,953 in assessed value. Councilor Howard Tupper said this amounts to about nine-tenths of a percent of the town budget.
Councilors Darcie Lesniak, Wendy Van Der Water and Ron Dudzinski all said they would support increasing the income limit.
“We have a lot of senior citizens here,” Tupper said.
“Obviously we know with inflation going up, this change … is not a whole lot,” Sabin said.
A public hearing on the proposed local law will take place at 7:02 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 21, at Van Buren Town Hall.
To learn more, visit the NYS Department of Taxation and Finance’s website at tax.ny.gov/pit/property/exemption/seniorexempt.htm/ or contact Van Buren Assessor Theresa Golden at [email protected] or 315-635-7997.
CNY SPCA to handle dog control
Van Buren is no longer partnering with the town of Camillus for its dog control services.
Beginning Jan. 1, 2023, the CNY SPCA will investigate complaints and enforce the licensing law. Residents can call 315-454-0928 for dog control services.
Town Clerk Lynn Precourt reminds residents that all dogs over the age of 4 months must be licensed. To license your dog, visit townofvanburen.com or visit the town clerk’s office. Make sure you have your dog’s rabies vaccination certificate. For more information, call the town clerk’s office at 315-635-3010.
Also on the agenda
• Codes officer: Two months after the resignation of Casey Palmer, the Van Buren Town Board has appointed a new code enforcement officer. Christopher Perdue’s appointment is provisional as he still must pass the civil service exam. Sabin said the next test likely would be in October 2023, and the town will have to re-canvas the civil service list before making Perdue’s appointment permanent.
• Comptroller: Greg Maxwell is coming out of retirement once again to serve as Van Buren’s comptroller. The board voted to appoint him to his former post on a part-time, temporary basis through April 1, 2023. Maxwell retired as Van Buren and Salina’s comptroller in 2016 but continued part-time with Van Buren. He retired again in 2021 and Michelle Vona was appointed for 2022. Maxwell will work 20 hours per week at a rate of $50 per hour.