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Town's
successful Senior Citizen Tax Credit Program a win/win
arrangement
By Ruth Weiner
Citizen Staff
Because of
creative planning and the combined efforts of the Board of
Selectmen, the Board of Assessors and the Council on Aging,
senior citizens can employ their vast skills by logging 100
hours of volunteer work for a great cause: the lowering of their
property taxes.
Begun in the
early 90s and modeled after Chelmsford’s prototype, the Senior
Citizen Tax Credit Program “is wildly successful,” said Bill
Friel, Town Administrator. “Every department in town takes
advantage of the program.”
 Candidates
work 100 hours per year, and are considered outside service
contractors, rather than town employees. The program is designed
to fund senior participants at a maximum of $750 each, not in
cash, however, but as an abatement on their taxes.
Jenka
Cabral, 82, whose gracious smile and friendly face greets
townspeople at the entrance to the town hall, loves what she
does. “Every town should have this for their senior citizens,”
she said. “Living on social security is kind of tough. If you’re
able to work a few hours a month and help yourself with taxes,
then you should do it.”
Anita Potts,
64, another welcoming and receptive volunteer at the town hall,
said the program has been a godsend. “This gets me out of the
house,” she said. “I’ve made a lot of friends here.”
At the
Council on Aging, Evelyn Keefe, 76, echoes the same sentiment.
“I enjoy all aspects of the program. It’s so helpful with
taxes.” Keefe answers phones, takes messages, trouble-shoots,
provides information, and signs people up for trips and events.
“I work all year round because I enjoy being here,” Keefe said,
“and I know it’s helpful to Diane Tynan, the director of the COA.
I meet new people and renew friendships.”
Tynan has
managed the program for the past 12 years, along with assistance
from volunteer Shirley Morse, 75. Together, they recruit
qualified seniors, identify potential assignments, match
applicants with program openings, and process paperwork.
“We’ve done
pretty well with making appropriate matches,” said Tynan, who
considers skill sets, physical limitations, and prior volunteer
service.
Initially,
seniors complete an application in early February. Departments
in the town, like the fire and police, the DPW, the Housing
Authority, and the schools, request a volunteer by sending in a
form to Tynan, who then contacts qualified seniors. On July 1,
when the work year begins, approximately 90 volunteers will have
met eligibility standards.
Program
participants must be 60 years of age or older, homeowners or
current spouses of homeowners, reside in Canton, and occupy the
property for which taxes are paid.
“It’s a boon
for the town to have skilled workers in these jobs,” said Morse,
who, like many others, spends far more than the allotted hours,
but receives no additional tax benefits or wages.
Library
Director Mark Lague can always use volunteers and is happy to
welcome them back year after year. “They add more than the
accomplishment of their task. They’re part of the family,” he
said, adding that because of cuts in the library page positions,
“we wouldn’t have been able to maintain the hours we have
without them.”
Fire
Department Administrator Shirley Sullivan agrees. “We’re
short-staffed since the last override failed, and the seniors
have picked up the slack,” she said. “They’re invaluable.”
Town
Administrator Friel believes that when there are financial
difficulties in the town and staffs are reduced, the town is
fortunate to have senior citizens filling in the gaps. “Who
better to deliver needed services,” he said, “than the most
experienced among us.”
May 15, 2008
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