The program allows volunteers to earn $500 in tax credits.
Westfield Council on Aging Director Tina Gorman is pushing for changes to a program that allows senior citizens a $500 tax credit in exchange for volunteer work.WESTFIELD – Efforts are under way to ease restrictions of the city’s senior property tax workoff program and allow more seniors to participate in the volunteer project.
The Council on Aging and Ward 2 City Councilor James E. Brown Jr. plan to seek changes in an existing ordinance that caps income at $30,000 per individual and $40,000 for a couple age 60 or older for those who want to save $500 annually in property taxes.
The program, according to COA Director Tina Gorman, allows up to 40 seniors to volunteer their services in Westfield schools or municipal departments in order to accumulate up to $500 credit on their property taxes annually.
The program has been in existence for years but only an average of 20 seniors participate annually. That is because they exceed the income level restriction, said Gorman.
Brown said he is assisting the push “because I fought against recent increases in user fees because of the impact on our senior citizens.”
He said research shows that during the past five years the program lacked participants. “We have only about 20 who participate annually,” Brown said.
“We have 40 slots available and have built $20,000 into the city’s budget for this program,” the councilor said. Changes in the ordinance must be approved by the City Council.
Gorman, who has researched guidelines used in other communities, said she is pushing to have income levels increased. “We have many seniors inquire about the program but most exceed the income level and many of those exceed that level by just a little,” said Gorman.
“We are losing valuable talent and assistance because of this,” she said.
Gorman is suggesting that the income threshold be increased to a figure three or 3.5 times the poverty level. That would allow income levels of $32,490 for individuals and $43,710 for couples.
Participants volunteer for about 60 hours annually to earn the $500 in tax credits.
“I have a lot of people interested but most are over the current income restriction by just a little bit,” said Gorman.