December, 2002

Dear Taxpayer,

At the October 1998 Town Meeting, the Town accepted a state law creating an Elderly and Disabled Taxation Fund. The purpose of this fund is to help defray increasing real estate taxes for low income elderly and disabled Holliston property owners.

This past year we received 16 applications for assistance and paid out $8,700 to 13 residents who qualified. This is a significantly lower amount than we have paid out in prior years ($14,000 in 2001). This is partly because we had less money in the fund last year and could not help at the level we have helped in the past and partly, we believe, because more elderly citizens are being forced to sell their homes and move out of Holliston.  Our fund this year is even lower than last year, currently at approximately $6,600, and we expect the need to be greater.

We know that this is a challenging economic time for many Holliston residents as well as for the Town, therefore it is difficult for many people to contribute to the Fund. However, please consider donating as much as possible to help our elderly citizens remain in Holliston.

We have estimated that a donation of approximately $25 per year per household would allow many elderly and disabled residents to remain in their homes. Contributions to the fund are voluntary. If you feel that you would like to contribute, please do so by making out a separate check payable to the Town of Holliston c/o Elderly and Disabled Taxation Fund and returning it to the Treasurer’s Office in Town Hall (currently at the Flagg School).

If you have any questions, please feel free to call the Treasurer/Collector’s Office at 429-0602 or the Selectmen’s Office at 429-0608.

Elderly and Disabled Tax Committee

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                                     Elderly and Disabled Taxation Committee Contribution

I would like to contribute to the Town of Holliston Elderly and Disabled Taxation Fund.  Please make check payable to the Town of Holliston c/o Elderly and Disabled Taxation Fund and mail it to the Town Treasurer, Town of Holliston, P.O. Box 6737, Holliston, MA  01746 or drop it off at the Tax Collector’s Office.

Total Contribution$______________

Name_________________________ Address__________________________________________