In recognition of the benefits to the people of the Town of
Ashford by the dedicated service of the Town's volunteer fire and
ambulance personnel, the Town of Ashford hereby establishes a tax
abatement program pursuant to Public Act 99-272, Sections 6 and 7, for volunteer fire and ambulance personnel on the conditions
outlined below.
Annually, on or before August 31 of each year, the Board of Directors of the Ashford Volunteer Fire Department shall submit to the Board of Selectmen a list of the members of the Department who are eligible as defined in §
253-12. This list shall contain addresses and the amount of abatement for which each member is eligible. In accordance with Section 61 of the Internal Revenue Code, this abatement is subject to withholding tax in the form of FICA and Medicare which is paid by the Town of Ashford. Any eligible member of the Ashford Volunteer Fire Department failing to reimburse the Town of Ashford for the amount of tax paid to the Internal Revenue Service by April 15 of the abatement year will be deemed to have outstanding debts to the Town of Ashford and the abatement will not be applied to the abatement recipient's July 1 tax bill.
Members who have a minimum of 20 years of active service and
have been recognized as life members in the organization shall continue
to receive an abatement of $1,000 annually for as long as they continue
to reside and own property in the Town of Ashford.