Editor,

Standish Tax Assessor Peter Arnemann has developed some statistics about the residential property owner’s use of the Homestead Exemption. He has determined the following:

There are about 5,000 parcels involved. It appears that 4,500 of these parcels could be eligible for the exemption. Only 2,200 have taken the time to apply.

The application for the exemption has three questions and once completed, the application stays in place as long as you remain in the same residence. Forms for applying are available at the Standish Town Hall.

As an example of how this works, Ms. Elizabeth Field in town owns a piece of property valued at $12,200. So, her tax would be $12,200 x $9.77, or $119.19. The Homestead Exemption gives her a free ride. She has filed for her $13,000 Homestead Exemption so she does not even receive a tax bill. I am not implying you can get the same free ride for services the town provides, but you can see how this works. She works in the town offices. I doubt this is a factor in Ms. Field’s good fortune of no tax.

Currently, the Homestead Exemption is a $13,000 deduction. If you are unfortunate enough that you receive a tax bill, the mill rate is $9.77 per thousand, or $127.10, is deducted from the bill if you have applied. Every little bit helps with the additional 7 percent recent increase the town has added to your property valuation. The assessor has stated all tax bills are mailed to the residences. You should see the $13,000 exemption subtracted from your valuation printed on the bill if you have received the deduction.

William Orr

Standish