The Newtown Legislative Council has taken up a review of the Senior Tax Relief Program to make sure the community is being served appropriately, or if there is a segment of town that's being excluded and shouldn't be.  It is now in the hands of the Ordinance Committee.

The program was reviewed two years ago to have four different income groups.  Language was also added allowing the Legislative Council the flexibility for amending levels.  Residents can't have a home over the median assessed value of $468,000 and can't have net asset value over $250,000.

First Selectman Pat Llodra told the Legislative Council that the next time there's a reval, that median assessed value will have to be recalibrated.  The next reval is scheduled for 2017 so any change would be applicable in the 2018 Grand List.

In 2014-2015, $1.65 million dollars in credits were authorized for 725 residents.  The town is looking at 50 new applications from people who have recently turned 65.  Some people who applied not qualify, about 5 applicants in the last round.  If all of the money is not used in one fiscal year, it is carried over to the next.  If the requests for relief go above the budgeted amount, the benefit is reduced according to a scale in the ordinance.

Llodra says as the town's demographic changes, more people are going to qualify just based on age.  She wants to make sure the budgeted resource for the program is sufficient.  But Llodra says it will be hard to look forward until they get a handle on the demographic shift.

In an effort to increase outreach about the program, information about it is included with tax bills.