Deerfield Finance Committee unanimously backs senior and veteran tax work-off program

DEERFIELD -- January 26, 2026, Deerfield Finance Committee unanimously endorses senior and veteran tax work-off program, asks Select Board to take it to town meeting. The six-member committee voted 6-0 Monday night to endorse in principle a citizen's petition from Mass in Motion that would allow Deerfield residents 60 and older and veterans of any age to volunteer in town departments to offset property taxes, with a maximum abatement of $1,500 per household and up to 10 positions townwide. Chris Goudreau of Mass in Motion said the total annual program cost would cap at $15,000, funded through the town's overlay account, which Finance Director Holly Drake confirmed holds a balance of roughly $121,000. Finance Committee member Mark Brennan moved a final amendment combining the endorsement with a request that the Select Board sponsor the article directly rather than rely on the citizen's petition, arguing it would "carry more weight." Select Board member Trevor McDaniel said the board was open to the idea but wanted the program details fleshed out before committing. The committee also reviewed preliminary fiscal year 2027 revenue projections showing a $476,000 increase over the prior year, just over 2 percent, with state aid figures still unavailable pending final cherry sheet numbers.