I am looking for support for our elderly. Prior to the town’s reassessment of properties, my 89-year-old in-laws enjoyed and appreciated a property tax exemption. In Peterborough, if your income was under $34,000 if single or $52,000 if married and you were over 80 years of age and your property was valued at $160,000 or less – plus other requirements – you were exempt from paying property taxes. It was a very generous exemption and for many elderly a helping hand to stay in their home.
Unfortunately, all of that changed when the town reassessed property values. After contact with the town finance department and the town assessor, the only way the $160,000 value can be changed is if it is added to the town warrant and brought up to Town Meeting. I am in need of 25 signatures of Peterborough residents to request consideration to make this change.
Janet Hong Brown
Peterborough