A new structure for senior tax exemptions in Barrington is one step closer to becoming law.

At their meeting earlier this month, members of the town council introduced a new ordinance that would establish varying tax exemptions for older residents, depending on how much money they earn each year. 

There will be public hearings held to discuss the proposed change.

Barrington Town Manager Jim Cunha praised the work of the town's ad hoc tax exemption committee, which researched the issue and recommended the tiered tax breaks.

"We've discovered there's a lot more need than we had thought," said Mr. Cunha. "We've also discovered there are people who were eligible for the circuit breaker who did not know they were eligible.

"The ad hoc committee had a very difficult job… Steve Boyajian (the chairman of the ad hoc tax exemption committee) did a phenomenal job… The meetings they held made sure that everyone had an opportunity to express themselves."

According to the proposed ordinance, some Barrington residents could see an increase of more than $2,000 in their senior tax exemption, while others who had been receiving a flat rate exemption of $368 would instead receive a $200 tax break. 

The proposal has received some mixed reviews. 

More recently, Peter and Adelaide Clifford of Starbrook Drive said the change is not fair to seniors who earn more than $69,200 annually, who would be extended a smaller tax exemption. The Cliffords argued that Barrington's senior citizen population would be better served by a tax freeze, rather than a change in the exemption structure.

"This would be a more effective way of achieving the goal of retaining seniors," the Cliffords wrote in a recent letter to the editor. "It would be consistent with the fixed income of seniors. It would have no impact on the remaining taxpayers in the near term. It would be further encouragement for the town to minimize annual tax increases in the long term. In any case, senior citizens are the backbone of this community and deserve better treatment than what the committee is proposing!"

Other residents, including Tim Mize, appear to support the proposed change, which was intended to aide seniors living on fixed incomes who are struggling to afford Barrington's annual property tax increases. In a recent letter to the editor, Mr. Mize questioned the town's older taxpayers who earn more than $69,200 annually but still feel they are owed a tax break.

"I’m scratching my head over Barrington seniors who feel entitled to money from the rest of us because they are old. I’m 62 and I would love to feel 20 again. But when I consider the alternative, I am delighted to be old!" Mr. Mize wrote in a followup letter. "I would never ask someone to subsidize my taxes when I can afford to pay them simply because I am fortunate enough to still be alive."

The town manager passed, the senior tax exemption ordinance would result in a reduction in property tax revenue. Last year's senior exemption totaled $543,836, while the proposed exemption is expected to total about $750,000.

"It's not a big number with the impact to the taxpayers," said Mr. Cunha. "I think it's in the right direction… There's no doubt we needed to help people with the fixed incomes."

Mr. Cunha said he believes most residents support the change to senior tax exemptions, and that there are just a few "loud" folks opposing the shift.

"It's the vocal minority," he added. 

Proposed tax exemptions

Current credit — Income — Proposed credit

$3,000 — Up to $17,310 — $3,250

$2,350 — $20,195 —  $3,094

$1,700 — $23,080 — $2,938

$1,050 — $26,005 — $2,783

$1,050 — $28,850 — $2,627

$368 — $31,735 — $2,472

$368 — $34,620 — $2,316

$368 — $37,505 — $2,161

$368 — $40,390 — $2,005

$368 — $43,275 — $1,849

$368 — $46,200 — $1,649

$368 — $49,045 — $1,538

$368 — $51,930 — $1,383

$368 — $54,815 — $1,227

$368 — $57,700 — $1,072

$368 — $60,585 — $916

$368 — $63,470 — $761

$368 — $66,355 — $605

$368 — $69,200 — $450

$368 — More than $69,200 — $200