Article 23 - Discussion Amended - MGL Ch. 59 Section 5 Clause 22I - HERO Act

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Article 23 – Amended Discussion – 4/27/25

DISCUSSION: In 2024 the Governor signed the HERO Act into law to provide enhanced veterans’ benefits all state
residents who served in the military. The Act has a local provision that modifies exiting abatements to allow qualifying
veterans to apply for an additional $400 abatement on their primary property annually, plus there are additional
larger abatements for disabled veterans. In 2024, the town had 78 veterans that were eligible for the $400
abatements, and 42 veterans eligible for the additional abatements. An estimated total of $73,200 will be abated for
FY26 following the passage of this act, with future annual adjustments and incremental increases based on the
Consumer Price Index. These abatements will be subsidized partially by the state through reimbursement. The
Finance Committee unanimously supported this recommendation to Town Meeting. In addition, the Veterans Agent
and the Board of Assessors support this recommendation.