WHEATFIELD: Board approves tax breaks for home repairs

By Dave Hill<br><a href="mailto:hilld@gnnewspaper.com">E-mail Dave</a>
Niagara Gazette

April 28, 2008 09:27 pm

— WHEATFIELD — Following a brief public hearing Monday night, the Wheatfield Town Board adopted an amendment to a local law that will offer tax breaks for home improvements.
The law takes effect immediately and provides assessment tax exemptions on home improvements and additions up to $80,000 on a graduated scale over an eight-year period. Improvements that meet the monetary threshold will be fully exempt in the first year. The exemption percentage drops by 12.5 points over the next seven years until it is at 12.5 percent in the eighth year.
“This program, I believe, will finally reward our residents who take care of their properties and improve their properties rather than punishing people ...” Supervisor Tim Demler said. “It has proved to be beneficial in other areas. It’s something we are excited about.”
Demler said after the meeting that Wheatfield is one of the first municipalities to adopt the law — it has been done at the county level in areas across the state — which is permissible under the New York State Property Tax Law. Town Attorney Robert O’Toole said Wheatfield is providing the maximum exemption available under state law.
Bob Pino, who was the only resident who spoke during the 10-minute hearing, asked how the exemptions will affect Niagara-Wheatfield School District taxes. Demler said he has spoken with some members of the district’s school board and, based on those conversations, he believes they will opt into the program as well.
Demler said homeowners could save, on average, between $4,000 and $5,000 on assessment taxes over the life of the program. The average addition in Wheatfield costs $60,000, he said.
In a separate matter Monday night, the board approved a resolution allowing the Air National Guard to use its own equipment and manpower to construct athletic fields at Mario Park on behalf of the town.
“It’s an incredibly positive thing for the town to get additional work done at absolutely no cost to the taxpayer,” O’Toole said.
The board also discussed the possibility of letting the Northtowns Soccer Club use the grounds behind Wheatfield Town Hall for soccer fields. Councilman Gilbert Doucet said that area is not the best spot, because it floods when it rains.
“I’d rather see them go at Mario Park,” Doucet said. “To me, it seems like a lot better place to put them.”