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Students of all ages were celebrated at Greenfield Community College on May 23 for having passed their high school equivalence test (HiSET). -
“It’s hard to be a mom and a student,” said Antinique Williams, one of the student speakers during a May 23 ceremony at Greenfield Community College celebrating students who passed their high school equivalency tests, “but both are a way to invest in your future. As a mom, I raise the future. As a student, I become the future.”
GREENFIELD — Property tax exemption applications for legally blind persons, seniors, veterans and residents dealing with financial hardship are now available at the Greenfield Assessors Department. Qualified residents are encouraged to submit applications by April 1, 2025.
The programs derive from Massachusetts General Law, Chapter 59, Section 5. An exemption excuses the taxpayer from paying a portion, or in some cases all of, the tax assessed for the fiscal year. Applications are granted or denied three calendar months from when they are received.
■Clause 37A exempts $500.
■Applicants must submit documentation relating to domicile/ownership and legal blindness, including submitting a current “Certificate of Legal Blindness” from the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind with each year’s application. They must also have an ownership interest worth at least $5,000 in their domicile.
■The first year an exemption is sought, a letter from a physician certifying blindness in accordance with the specifications of the Commission for the Blind is considered sufficient proof. After the first year, only a certificate from the Commission for the Blind will be accepted.
■Clause 41D exempts $1,000 from property tax bills. Clause 17E features an exemption amount of $175.
■Applicants, who must be 67 or older to apply, must submit a birth certificate, evidence of property ownership/domicile and income tax returns or other asset account statements.
■To receive an exemption, the applicant’s income for the previous calendar year cannot exceed $32,922 for single individuals or $40,632 for married individuals.
■Applicants must provide evidence of residency, ownership/domicile and occupancy along with certification of a service-connected disability from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or, if a spouse is applying, certification of death. In addition, veterans must submit records from the branch of the military from which they were discharged or in which they served.
■Veterans must have been domiciled in Massachusetts for at least six consecutive months before entering the service or lived in the state for at least two consecutive years before the tax year begins.
■There are seven exemptions for veterans and their families, ranging from $400 to a full exemption.
■Some residents may also qualify for a hardship exemption (Clause 18A). The clause allows taxpayers experiencing financial difficulties to defer part, or in some cases all, of their property taxes.
■Supporting documentation required may include, but is not limited to, federal and state income tax returns; savings and checking account statements; Social Security and pension fund statements; records of public assistance; schedules of assets; and outstanding bills.
Residents with questions about the exemptions can visit the Assessors Department at City Hall Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m., email Chief Assessor Randall Austin at randall.austin@greenfield-ma.gov or call 413-772-1506.
GREENFIELD — Graduates of all ages were celebrated at Greenfield Community College on May 23 for having passed their high school equivalency test (HiSET). The event was organized and co-sponsored by GCC, The Literacy Project and Community Action Pioneer Valley’s Young Parents Program.
The high school equivalency exam is an alternative path for adults and young adults who left high school without finishing. The tests require students to demonstrate proficiency in math, reading, writing, science and social studies.
“This ceremony exemplifies the hard work and persistence of each graduate, and it is an opportunity to celebrate a goal well-achieved,” The Literacy Project’s Executive Director Colleen Kucinski said.
The ceremony featured speeches from several graduates, including one from the Young Parents Program and several from The Literacy Project.
Additional speakers included GCC President Michelle Schutt, Literacy Project instructor Tanya Rubins and Community Action Pioneer Valley Executive Director Clare Higgins.
“I am so proud of all our participants,” said Herlinda Tuesca, coordinator of the Young Parents Program. “They have shown incredible resilience, persistence and commitment to their goals.”