BERNARDSTON — The Selectboard has approved the formation of a committee that will steer the creation of the town’s Senior and Veteran Tax Work-Off Program, making it one of the most recent Franklin County communities to pursue the tax relief option.

Senior Center Director Jennifer Reynolds will serve as chair of the new committee alongside Selectboard Chair Ken Bordewieck, Assistant Assessor Jill Watrous, Finance Committee Chair Jane Dutcher, resident Richard DiGeorge as a veterans’ representative and Edith Riddle as a seniors’ representative. Town Administrator Karen Kelly will be a non-voting member serving as committee clerk.

The tax work-off program will begin during fiscal year 2026, following a vote at Annual Town Meeting this year.

“We’re going to be discussing program goals, program requirements, eligibility criteria, maximum amount of abatement, income tax implications, program dates and deadlines,” Reynolds said of the committee’s plans.

The committee’s first meeting will be on Sept. 24, where the early stages of the program will be discussed.

Reynolds explained the benefits of the program for veterans and seniors are both financial and social.

“There’s benefits for the seniors because they’re getting money off their taxes,” Reynolds said. “A lot of times, the people in these jobs end up enjoying the job, and they stay on for the remainder of the year as a volunteer. So that has worked out really nicely, and it’s just an extension of life beyond your career and to contribute in a different way.”

Massachusetts General Law Chapter 59, Sections 5K and 5N allows for seniors over the age of 60 and veterans to provide volunteer services to their municipality of residence in exchange for a property tax abatement. Eligibility, job placement, number of participants in a fiscal year and work hours can be tailored by the municipality. Per the law, participants will be considered employees with a wage compensation of $15 per hour that allows the person to earn up to a maximum of a $2,000 abatement for the hours worked.

Similar programs

Other municipalities across Franklin County have adopted tax work-off programs as well, or are in the early stages of development.

Erving held a Special Town Meeting on Aug. 28 where a Senior Citizen Property Tax Work-Off Program was unanimously approved by voters. The Selectboard met on Sept. 9 and approved the policy itself, making adjustments to grammar and clarifying program eligibility based on U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development income data for Franklin County.

Conway is in the early stages of developing its own tax work-off program for seniors and veterans. The estimated cost for the first year sits at $7,500, and the goal would be to start with five participants for an inaugural program within the town.

As of Aug. 30, Amherst residents are now able to receive a higher tax abatement, with a maximum allowance being increased to $2,000 from $1,500. Those currently participating in the program are able to request this increase in abatement by Nov. 30.

Greenfield, Orange, Northampton and Easthampton also have existing programs for seniors, with Greenfield accepting applications for fiscal year 2026 until Sept. 30. There are 20 slots available.

Erin-Leigh Hoffman can be reached at ehoffman@recorder.com or 413-930-4231.