Letter to the Editor: The Taxation Aid Fund Is an Opportunity to Help Your Neighbor

By Sandra Hackman, Chair of COA Board

You may have noticed a blue slip accompanying your recent property tax bill inviting donations to a new Taxation Aid Fund. The Town will use voluntary contributions to this fund to modestly offset property taxes for low-income senior and disabled residents. 

Voters at 2021 Annual Town Meeting voted to approve creation of this fund. The Council on Aging Board would like to thank the Bedford Assessors for supporting that effort. 

A new Taxation Aid Committee–composed of Rebecca Neal, chair of the Assessors; Rick Rosen, former vice-chair of the COA Board; two at-large members, Sue Swanson and Amy Hamilton; and the Town treasurer—has done the hard work of creating guidelines for the fund. This committee will oversee the distribution of the fund to older and disabled residents in need.  

The COA Board hopes residents will consider contributing to this fund—any amount is welcome. To do so, please see the Donation Form on the Taxation Aid Committee page on the Town website, which also includes information on how to apply to receive the funds.