By Geena Monahan—For the North Star Reporter
North Attleborough seniors struggling with rising costs could soon have access to a new form of tax relief after Gov. Maura Healey signed legislation authorizing the town to create a means-tested property tax exemption program.
The measure, filed by state Rep. Adam Scanlon (D-North Attleborough) and state Sen. Paul Feeney (D-Foxboro) at the request of the Town Council, is designed to help qualifying senior homeowners remain in their homes as housing costs and property taxes continue to climb.
The legislation originated as a Home Rule Petition approved by the council in 2025 and sent to Beacon Hill for consideration.
Town Councilor Dan Donovan, chairman of the Bylaw Subcommittee, said he was pleased to see the measure signed into law following what he described as a collaborative effort involving the council, Finance Subcommittee, Board of Assessors, town administration and the community’s legislative delegation.
“I’m grateful to everyone who helped move this forward and look forward to the Town Council’s discussions on implementation in the months ahead,” Donovan said.
Feeney said the legislation provides local officials with another tool to address the financial challenges facing seniors living on fixed incomes.
“Costs are rising across the country and many on a fixed income, especially seniors, are getting squeezed in every direction,” Feeney said. “The flexibility granted by this measure will directly benefit many who have formed the fabric of the community for generations.”
Filling a gap
Supporters said the proposal was designed to help a subset of seniors who often fall outside existing tax relief programs.
“We heard from seniors whose incomes are modest and who are struggling with rising costs, but who do not qualify for the state’s Senior Circuit Breaker because their property taxes and utility expenses are not high enough under the state’s formula,” Donovan said.
Under the framework previously approved by the council, homeowners must occupy the property as their primary residence, meet age and residency requirements and satisfy income and asset limits established by the town. The program is limited to homes assessed at or below the community’s average residential value, which was approximately $569,820 when the bylaw was adopted.
The council approved income limits of $70,000 for single applicants, $80,000 for heads of household and $90,000 for married couples filing jointly.
“Our seniors have spent decades building our community, and many are now facing increasing financial pressure from rising property taxes and the cost of living,” Scanlon said in a statement. “This legislation gives North Attleborough another tool to help seniors age in place and remain in the homes and neighborhoods they love.”
Funding and taxpayer impact
The exemption will be funded through a residential tax shift, rather than state aid or local overlay funds. Last year, town officials estimated qualifying seniors could receive approximately $950 to $1,000 in annual tax relief. The corresponding impact on other residential taxpayers was projected to be about $45 annually, or roughly $11.25 per quarter.
Supporters have argued that the relatively modest cost to other taxpayers is outweighed by the benefit of helping seniors on fixed incomes remain in their homes.
“Make no mistake, we are putting our hands in other people’s pockets to help, but $11.25 a quarter to effectuate close to $1,000 in tax relief for seniors, who in these situations need it, I’m willing to ask people to do that,” said councilor and Finance Subcommittee Chair John Simmons at a June 2, 2025, meeting.
Scanlon noted several revisions were made to the original Home Rule Petition before the legislation was approved. The most significant change removed a proposed cap limiting participation to 500 residents and eliminated language that would have awarded exemptions on a first-come, first-served basis.
“Their view was that if a resident meets the eligibility requirements, they should have the opportunity to participate, regardless of when they apply, and I think that’s a reasonable position,” Donovan said.
While the original cap served as a safeguard, Donovan said he does not expect the change to significantly affect the program, as eligibility requirements remain relatively narrow.
“I do not anticipate participation approaching 500 residents,” he said.
Although the legislation takes effect immediately, additional action by the council is required before residents can begin receiving the exemption. According to Donovan, councilors must still establish the annual exemption amount, define asset limits and make other local policy decisions authorized under the law.
Assuming that work proceeds as expected, eligible residents would apply annually through the Assessors’ Office by Sept. 1.