For Immediate Release

Thursday, June 20, 2019

Contact: Jordan Mayblum
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: [email protected]

Town of Acton Offering Increased Hours and Rates for Senior Work Program

Work Program One of Several Ways Seniors Can Reduce Their Cost of Living

ACTON — Town Manager John Mangiaratti is pleased to announce that the Town of Acton has increased the hourly rate, as well as the amount of hours participants may work, for the Senior Work Program.

The Senior Work Program enables senior residents to work for the town in exchange for relief on their property taxes or other living expenses. For the coming fiscal year, the amount seniors can earn and the number of hours they may work as part of the program have both increased.

The increases allow participants to earn over $1,500 that can be applied toward reducing their annual property tax responsibility or other living expenses. The additions to hourly pay and available hours were approved at Town Meeting in April.

“These programs are both assets to the town and its departments, and to the seniors who take part,” Town Manager Mangiaratti said. “It’s a great opportunity for seniors to make important contributions to the community while easing their tax liability.”

Any seniors who are interested in the program can visit the Human Resources Office at Town Hall and fill out a short application, or download the application online from the human resources page at ActonMA.gov.

Acton’s Assessor Office also provides a variety of tax relief benefits to qualifying residents. In Fiscal Year 2018, the town granted over $10,000 to residents who are legally blind, more than $55,000 for seniors over age 65, more than $75,000 for veterans and over $250,000 for residents facing financial hardship.

In addition, certain seniors over the age of 65 are eligible for a state “Circuit Breaker” exemption, potentially qualifying them for up to 50 percent off their local tax bill, with an average benefit of $2,600.

For further information about the work program, contact Human Resources at 978-929-6613 or email [email protected] For more information about other tax relief options, residents should contact the Assessor Office at 978-929-6621.

###