60.0°,
Overcast Vets will get tax break from Hewlett-Woodmere schools
Board of Education approves partial exemption
The Hewlett-Woodmere Board of Education voted unanimously at its Sept. 17 regular meeting to approve a partial tax exemption that will allow military veterans to pay less in school property taxes.
School board President Scott McInnes said that the action taken by the trustees is not the usual way they conduct business. “We, as a board, pass a budget, which then goes to the voters and gets voted on,” he said. “In this scenario, we took action on something passed by Albany that will not be voted on by the rest of the community. It was that much more important for us to hear from [veterans] and what they wanted.”
The board made its decision after more than 50 military veterans attended its Sept. 10 meeting and expressed their support for the exemption. At least 370 veterans who live in the district could be eligible for it, according to district officials.
Board Trustee Jonathan Altus expressed his gratitude for the veterans’ service and their interest in the legislation. “I want to thank the veterans for coming out,” he said. “I hope they continue to come out so their voices can be heard, and we as a board can implement what the community wants.”
Four resolutions were approved in order for the exemption to be granted, district officials said. The exemption is based on New York state’s real property tax law, and includes a basic maximum tax exemption of $12,000 for all wartime veterans, an additional $8,000 for those who served in a combat zone, and an additional $40,000 for those who served in a combat zone and suffered a “service-connected” disabilities.
Gold Star families — direct relatives of servicemen and women who were killed in combat — who own homes in the district would also be considered eligible, as well as veterans living in co-ops and those who transfer their home ownership to another property in the district.
Joseph Barbaro, of Valley Stream, a disabled veteran and senior citizen who lives in the school district, said he was pleasantly surprised by the “yes” vote. Because he wanted to ensure a large veteran representation before the school board for both the public hearing and the meeting vote, Barbaro canvassed his neighborhood, posting informational fliers and sending out emails.
