[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Aldermen of the City of Melrose as Rev. Ords. 1976, §§ 2-104.1 to 2-104.4 (Rev. Ords. 1989, §§ 2-251 to 2-254). Amendments noted where applicable.]
[Added 8-19-2003 by Ord. No. 01-029A; amended 9-22-2008 by Ord. No. 09-016; 8-17-2015 by Ord. No. 2016-7; 5-20-2024 by Order No. 2024-3]
A. 
Individuals who are 60 years old or older shall be eligible to participate in this program. Individuals must be the homeowner or current spouse of homeowner, and must own and occupy the residence for which property taxes are paid and for which credit is being sought. Only one tax abatement per property per year shall be allowed.
B. 
City departments are required to identify their specific needs and the Council on Aging (COA) will review each application to match an applicant's interest and skill set with a department's specific needs. Placement in the program cannot be guaranteed and is based on qualifications and availability of relevant work.
C. 
The participants in the program shall perform volunteer work for the City and shall receive a rate that shall not exceed the commonwealth's minimum wage for said service. The maximum abatement which can be earned by any participant in the program is $2,000 during any calendar year.
D. 
Records of hours worked are kept and credited at the Massachusetts minimum wage rate. Upon completion of work by the participants, the Board of Assessors shall apply the credit to the owner's tax bill to abate their property taxes for an amount no greater than $2,000.
E. 
In each calendar year, individuals shall be allowed to participate in this program based on one's specific qualifications to perform the work and the available positions needed to perform said work Citywide. An approved representative shall be allowed to perform the volunteer work for the direct benefit of any participant who is physically unable to personally provide such services to the City of Melrose.
F. 
In the event there are more qualified applicants than available positions, participants for the program may be selected from a lottery of equally qualified individuals.
G. 
The Director of the City of Melrose Council on Aging shall be responsible for determining eligibility for the program.
H. 
This program shall undergo an annual review by City Council beginning on or after January 31, 2026.
[1]
Editor's Note: Former §§ 6-1, 6-2 and 6-3, relating to the establishment, purpose, terms of office, vacancies, quorum, compensation, officers and powers and duties of the Council on Aging, and § 6-4, Clerical and other assistants, were deleted 8-21-2017 by Ord. No. 2018-4. See now Administrative Code §§ A-201 and A-202. Former §§ 6-1 and 6-3 were amended 12-16-2002 by Ord. No. 02-060A.