This morning, Save South Hadley sent the following letter to Jeffrey Cyr, Chair of the Selectboard, and Kevin Taugher, Chair of the Board of Assessors, in advance of their joint meeting to review tax exemptions. The joint meeting will take place April 7, 2026, 7PM at the Senior Center.
Jeffrey Cyr, Chair, Selectboard
Kevin Taugher, Chair, Board of Assessors
Dear Mr. Cyr and Mr. Taugher,
On behalf of Save South Hadley, a local ballot initiative committee made up of South Hadley residents, we are writing to urge the Town to adopt and fully utilize the maximum range of property tax exemptions and relief programs authorized under Massachusetts law.
As the town considers ongoing budget pressures and the potential need for increased revenues, it is essential that we take every available step to ensure that the most vulnerable citizens of South Hadley are protected. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts provides municipalities with a number of local-option exemptions and deferrals designed to protect residents who are most vulnerable to rising property taxes. South Hadley has not adopted several of these local-option exemptions, and smaller exemption amounts than the state allows for some others. South Hadley should ensure that it is making full use of these tools.
Among the key options available to the town are:
- Senior exemptions (M.G.L. c. 59, §§ 41C, 41C½, and Clause 41D): These allow communities to provide enhanced tax relief to seniors based on age, income, and asset thresholds, including more generous local options beyond the standard exemption.
- Hardship exemptions (Clause 18): These may be granted to taxpayers who are unable to pay due to financial hardship, illness, or other extenuating circumstances. Towns have broad discretion to apply these exemptions compassionately and flexibly. The town should adopt this exemption and clearly publish the qualifying criteria.
- Veterans’ exemptions (Clause 22 series): These provide relief to qualifying veterans and their surviving spouses, with the option for communities to adopt higher exemption amounts.
- Blind persons exemptions (Clause 37A): Providing tax relief for legally blind residents.
- Tax deferrals (Clause 41A and 41A½): Allow eligible homeowners, particularly seniors, to defer payment of property taxes, often at low interest rates, until the property is transferred.
Importantly, many of these exemptions are partially reimbursed by the Commonwealth, particularly veterans’ and certain other statutory exemptions. Increasing local adoption and participation in these programs does not simply shift the burden onto other taxpayers—it can bring additional state dollars into the community and reduce the net local impact.
At a time when South Hadley is asking residents to consider increased taxes, it is both fiscally responsible and morally necessary to ensure that those least able to pay are fully protected. Maximizing these exemptions will help maintain equity and strengthen public confidence in the town’s financial decisions.
In addition to local action, we urge the town’s leadership to advocate at the state level for reforms that would further support municipalities and taxpayers, including:
- Increasing state reimbursement levels for mandated and optional property tax exemptions, so that communities are not forced to choose between fairness and fiscal stability; and
- Clarifying and expanding the use of hardship exemptions (Clause 18) to ensure that relief is explicitly available and accessible to residents under age 65 who are experiencing genuine financial hardship.
Finally, South Hadley should make the information of available exemptions, as well as state level programs such as the Senior Circuit Breaker Tax Credit, broadly available. This should include on the town website, and critically, via an insert with every property tax bill.
South Hadley has the opportunity to lead by example—demonstrating that fiscal responsibility and compassion can go hand in hand. We respectfully ask that the Selectboard and Appropriations Committee review the town’s current policies and take action to adopt the most robust set of exemptions permitted under state law.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Steering Committee Save South Hadley