[HISTORY: Adopted by the City Council of the City of Haverhill 2-4-1997 by Doc. 25 (Ch. 206 of the 1980 Code). Amendments noted where applicable.]
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
ASSET ELIGIBLE
Individuals who have total assets, not including a principal residence, that do not exceed $50,000.
[Amended 4-22-2008 by Doc. 55]
INCOME ELIGIBLE
Individuals who have an annual income of $50,000.
[Amended 4-22-2008 by Doc. 55]
SENIOR CITIZEN
A retired citizen of Haverhill who has attained the age of 65 years old.
[Amended 1-26-1999 by Doc. 145/98]
[Amended 4-22-2008 by Doc. 55]
To assist senior citizens in the payment of annual real estate taxes to the City of Haverhill, a tax incentive program is to be established in accordance with MGL c. 59, § 5K. This chapter of the Code shall serve as the local rules and regulations for said program. Should the provisions of this chapter conflict with MGL c. 59, § 5K, state law shall prevail.
Senior citizens who are the responsible party for the payment of real estate taxes to the City of Haverhill and who are income eligible and asset eligible shall be eligible to participate in the program.
A. 
An eligible senior citizen, as defined herein, may register and qualify to participate in this program with the Human Resources Director. The Human Resources Director shall assign the senior citizen to volunteer his or her services in municipal departments, including the School Department, for 125 hours in a fiscal year (July 1 to June 30). Upon certification of the completion of the necessary volunteer hours by the municipal department head in which the senior citizen has provided services, the Human Resources Director shall authorize the payment for hours worked at the minimum wage rate, with the annual payment not to exceed an amount equal to the maximum prescribed by MGL c. 59, § 5K, per participant. Said recommendation shall be made to the City Tax Collector, to be applied towards the senior citizen's real estate account. Any qualified senior citizen who is physically unable to provide services may propose a representative to provide such services to the City in his or her place. The representative must be approved and deemed qualified to provide services by the Human Resources Director.
[Amended 1-26-1999 by Doc. 145/98; 7-10-2007 by Doc. 76; 4-22-2008 by Doc. 55; 9-18-2012 by Doc. 86]
B. 
The program shall be limited to 25 participants in each fiscal year period.
C. 
Municipal departments, including the school department, who desire to participate in this program shall provide position descriptions to the Human Resources Director. The Human Resources Director shall match senior citizen volunteers with positions available in municipal departments. Department heads shall approve the placement and retention and shall supervise senior citizen volunteers within their respective departments.
[Amended 1-26-1999 by Doc. 145/98; 7-10-2007 by Doc. 76]