NOTICE OF THREE SEPARATE PUBLIC HEARINGS
BOARD OF EDUCATION OF THE HAUPPAUGE UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT
PROPOSED RESOLUTIONS REGARDING THREE PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTIONS
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to Sections 466-a, 467, and 459-c of the Real Property Tax Law (“RPTL”), the Board of Education of the Hauppauge Union Free School District will hold three separate public hearings on February 25, 2025 commencing at 7:00 p.m. in the Whiporwil Board Room at 495 Hoffman Lane, Hauppauge, New York. The purpose of these public hearings is to provide an opportunity for interested parties and citizens to be heard regarding proposed resolutions related to partial real property tax exemptions.
Public Hearing 1 – This public hearing will address a proposed resolution related to the partial real property tax exemption for School District taxation purposes for qualifying volunteer firefighters and volunteer ambulance workers, as provided for by RPTL § 466-a. The proposed resolution authorizes the repeal of the local options previously adopted under RPTL § 466-c; all previously adopted options will sunset by December 9, 2025, if not repealed earlier.
The proposed resolution authorizes the same partial exemption benefits previously adopted under RPTL § 466-c, except pursuant to RPTL § 466-a, the partial exemption benefits are expanded to cover the primary residence owned by a volunteer firefighter or volunteer ambulance worker who has a minimum service requirement of two years instead of five years. Additional options under consideration are as follows:
A qualified volunteer with a minimum service requirement of two years to under twenty years of service is entitled to a 10% real property tax exemption for School District taxation purposes;
A qualified un-remarried spouse of a previously qualified volunteer who died in the line of duty with at least five years of active service, or a shorter minimum period of active service authorized by RPTL § 466-a, is entitled to retain the 10% real property tax exemption;
A qualified volunteer with a minimum service requirement of more than twenty years of service is entitled to a 10% real property tax exemption for School District taxation purposes for his or her lifetime;
A qualified un-remarried spouse of a previously qualified volunteer who is deceased is entitled to retain the 10% lifetime real property tax exemption.
Upon the conclusion of this public hearing, the Board of Education intends to vote on a resolution at its public meeting on February 25, 2025.
Public Hearing 2 - Pursuant to § 467 of the Real Property Tax Law (a law that increased the allowable income ceiling and revised the definition of income), the Board will consider whether to adopt a resolution to provide that real property owned by certain qualified persons who are sixty-five years of age or older will be eligible for reductions in school taxes by increasing the income for the base exemption from $29,000 to $50,000, providing for a sliding scale of decreasing exemption percentages for incomes increasing up to $58,400, and addressing what is included in income.
Upon the conclusion of this public hearing, the Board of Education intends to vote on a resolution at its public meeting on February 25, 2025.
Public Hearing 3 - Pursuant to § 459-c of the Real Property Tax Law (a law that increased the allowable income ceiling and revised the definition of income), the Board will consider whether to adopt a resolution to provide that real property owned by certain qualified persons with disabilities will be eligible for reductions in school taxes by increasing the income for the base exemption from $29,000 to $50,000, providing for a sliding scale of decreasing exemption percentages for incomes increasing up to $58,400, and addressing what is included in income
Upon the conclusion of this public hearing, the Board of Education intends to vote on a resolution at its public meeting on February 25, 2025.
Copies of the proposed resolutions can be obtained by contacting the District Clerk or visiting the District’s website.
Lori DeGeorge
District Clerk
Dated: February 12, 2025