On Monday, Jan. 20, the Milan Town Board unanimously passed two pieces of legislation to provide property tax relief for eligible residents.
Local Law No. 1 of 2025 grants “seniors citizens and [people] with physical disabilities” tax exemptions based on annual income. For example, those making $35,000 or less will get a 50% property tax reduction, incomes of more than $39,000 but less than $39,800 get a 25% exemption and those making $42,500 to $43,400 get a 5% break.
Resolution 1 of 2025 provides a 10% property tax exemption for volunteer firefighters and ambulance workers. Eligible recipients must have served as an active member of the Milan Volunteer Fire Department for at least three years and have a primary residence in Gallatin, Clermont or Milan. New York state legislation passed in 2022 facilitated the statewide participation in this exemption to encourage the hiring and retention of volunteer EMS workers.
Town Supervisor Al Lo Brutto explained the thinking behind the resolution: “These volunteers spend countless hours and their own personal finances for the betterment of their services and community. The Milan Town Board finds it necessary and appropriate to thank these volunteers […] and provide a benefit and incentive for future volunteer service.”
No residents attended either of two public hearings on these tax exemptions, held immediately before the Town Board meeting.
In other business, the board appropriated $571,696 for the general repair of streets and bridges. Superintendent of Highways Glenn Butler told the board that the money will be used to improve nearly 50 miles of town roads.
Board members also authorized $3,504 to purchase the Town of Red Hook’s 50% ownership of the wood chipper the towns had been sharing. “Red Hook got a new chipper, so they are selling their half to us,” Butler said. “It’s a 2006 chipper, but it’s a really good one.”
The board also adopted a resolution to approve the annual 2025 audit of town accounts and approved bills for payment of general town services.