Lanesborough Rebuff of Gold Star Exemption Dismays Pittsfield Officials
LANESBOROUGH, Mass. — Pittsfield officials are disappointed that Lanesborough rejected a proposal for Gold Star family tax exemptions, clarifying that the city proudly adopted this years ago.
City Clerk Michele Benjamin, Assistant City Clerk Heather Brazeau and her husband, Mark Brazeau, (former School Committee member) comprised an open letter to the town's Select Board expressing they were "disheartened" by the annual town meeting vote.
"As residents of a fellow city within the Commonwealth of MA, we are disappointed to hear about the denial of adoption for tax exemption Chapter 59, Section 5, Clause 22H for families of our fallen military heroes at the Annual Town Meeting held on June 11, 2024," the letter reads.
"After watching this public meeting, disappointed was not a strong enough word. We were fully disheartened for the family of Staff Sergeant Jacob Galliher along with the future families within the town of Lanesborough. Instead of adopting a clause to assist families of fallen heroes, it was suggested that a bridge, park, or another city project be dedicated in SSGT Galliher's name. Although these are great honors, we would like to remind you that the new coffee shop located in Lanesborough at the Village of Greylock Plaza is a family funded project to honor SSGT Galliher, which is also included on your fiscal year tax rolls."
Galliher, 24, a staff sergeant in the Air Force, was killed last year when the CV-22 Osprey he was on crashed off the coast of Japan during a joint military exercise. Last week, his family opened a coffee shop, Jake's Java, on Williamstown Road in his honor.
At the annual town meeting, it was expressed that the adoption of this clause would burden the town's taxpayers by raising the tax rate and would negatively impact the town's overlay account to make up the difference.
"During the meeting comments were shared by a resident that they thought North Adams, MA was the only other municipality near their community that had adopted this clause, and that Dalton and Pittsfield had not," the letter adds.
"We are here to correct this statement on behalf of a neighboring community as our city proudly adopted this clause in May of 2022."
Reportedly, one town resident said that if the clause was adopted, people would move to another town. Most people looking for a new home and community to live in are not basing their decision on this fact, the three letter writers said, and families of military personnel killed on duty would most likely stay in the home where they raised their children to keep the memories close to their hearts.
"We ask you if any of you have ever met a service member who signed up to fight for our country for money or future benefits?"
The article was proposed by Select Board member Timothy Sorrell.
Deborah Maynard, who was elected to the Select Board last week, voted against an article.
"They wanted to grant the full abatement for taxes as a local option, not a state option, and the state does not reimburse for any of that and I think our town is so small and it's not a rich town where we could absorb — I didn't feel we could absorb that," she said on election day.
"And that is the only reason from a financial perspective. Emotionally, obviously, my heart goes out to any person that has lost a family member. It was not an emotional decision. It was strictly a financial decision."
Maynard recommended that they be honored in other ways such as bridge, pavilion, or park dedications.
The letter thanks people who took a stand and spoke proudly on behalf of veterans, active military, and families of American heroes. It also thanks the people who supported the clause at ATM and hopes that before the next one, the individuals who denied it think about these families more, and research what other communities including the ones right next door are doing to better assist these families.
"As residents of Pittsfield, we feel honored and lucky to have some of SSGT Galliher's family in our community that currently benefit from this tax exemption clause. This clause will never bring their beautiful fallen hero home, but it is with hope this benefit assists with some of the burden these families will carry forever," it reads.
"Will one family whose son made the ultimate sacrifice for our country and your freedom to speak out at a local meeting is not going to hurt your tax rolls. A family who is honoring their son at the Local Coffee shop by bringing more revenue into your town is not hurting your tax rolls."
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