The Londonderry Town Council heard from Town Manager Kevin Smith on the possible expansion of the Veterans Tax Credit.
Smith discussed the expansion in the Nov. 14 Budget Workshop held by the Town Council and Budget Committee. Because there was no quorum, the Council could not make any decision.
Recent legislation has enabled towns to extend the tax credit to anyone who served, and not necessarily in an armed conflict. The extended veterans tax credit is optional.
According to the assessing page on the town Web site, Londonderry currently offers $500 in tax credits to any resident who has served not less than 90 days in any qualifying war or combat, and was honorably discharged or an officer honorably separated from service, or their spouse or surviving spouse. Qualifying wars or conflicts include World War I, World War II, Korean Conflict, Vietnam Conflict, Persian Gulf War or any other war or armed conflict since May 1975.
The deadline for application is April 15, 2017.
Smith’s recommendation is to sit tight for now, research the issue and wait till the 2019 budget season before they act.
In other business, Farrell and Freda discussed the proposed renovation and expansion of the Central Fire Station. While they were not able to take any action, their opinion was that the working number of $350,000 was too high. Farrell observed that it would bring 9 cents to the tax rate. They asked Administrative Support Coordinator Steve Cotton to put out an RFQ for an engineering analysis.
Farrell said the project could be phased in, with an engineering study the first year and construction the second, and added that he liked an idea floated by fellow Councilor Tom Dolan to put both questions on the same warrant article. That way, he said, if the construction doesn’t pass the voters, they don’t have to waste money on the engineering study.