BERNARDSTON — Applications will be available to participate in Bernardston’s new Senior and Veteran Tax Work-Off Program starting Thursday, Sept. 18, allowing qualified residents to provide volunteer services to the town in exchange for $750 in property tax relief.
Bernardston Senior Center Director and Tax Work-Off Program Committee Chair Pam Parmakian said the program is accepting applications for four slots for the first cohort of the program. Applications will be available at the Bernardston Senior Center and Bernardston Town Hall, and must be returned between Oct. 1 and Nov. 15.
Starting last September, Bernardston established a committee dedicated to creating the Senior and Veteran Tax Work-Off Program. Under Massachusetts General Law, eligible residents can provide volunteer services to their municipality of residence in exchange for a property tax abatement. Eligibility, job placement, number of participants in a fiscal year and work hours can be tailored by the municipality. Bernardston approved the creation of this program during its 2024 Annual Town Meeting.
“They’re treated during that period as if they are town employees, because technically they are a town employee, so they will be following all the same procedures as any new employee for the town of Bernardston,” Parmakian said.
In Bernardston, seniors ages 60 or older and veterans of all ages who are Bernardston homeowners and have lived in town for more than five years can participate. To be eligible, an applicant’s income must meet or be below 60% of the area median income, equaling $50,220 for a single-person household, $57,320 for a two-person household or $64,620 for a three-person household.
There are a variety of open positions in different departments. Options for more physical labor include a janitor, a landscaper and an assistant transfer station attendant. Clerical work is also available, with open positions including a program assistant, a town newsletter proofreader and a position taking meeting minutes for various town boards.
Those who are selected to join the first cohort of the Senior and Veteran Tax Work-Off Program will start volunteering in their roles in January 2026 and continue through October 2026. With more positions available than there are slots in the program, Parmakian said applicants are asked to demonstrate their skills on their applications to help the committee place applicants with roles that best align with their experience.
Other municipalities across Franklin County have adopted this program over the years to offer relief to their seniors and veterans, including Greenfield, Erving, Orange and Conway. Parmakian said the committee members in Bernardston looked at the state law to develop their parameters, then used other towns as models to help them understand how to build their own town-specific program.
Meanwhile, Greenfield is accepting applications for its program until Sept. 30. In Greenfield, eligible residents can earn up to $2,000 in property tax relief.
So far, Parmakian said she’s seen interest from residents who want to know when the program begins, and who have expressed specific interest in administrative roles. She said the interest is “exciting” and she feels this new program is an opportunity for people interested in giving back to their communities to do some “hands-on” work.
“For our seniors … if they are drawing in any benefits, it won’t interfere with their benefits,” Parmakian said, “so they can get out of the house on a regular basis, use some of their skill sets and also get some relief on their assessed taxes.”
