BERNE — The Berne Town Board introduced its first-responder tax-exemption law this week, offering a 10-percent property tax discount to volunteers of ambulance or fire squads who have served for at least two years. 

The law, like others passed locally since New York State authorized this exemption last year, also offers the exemption to widows of volunteers killed in the line of duty, and allows volunteers with more than 20 years of service to claim a lifetime exemption. 

A public hearing will be held on June 14 at 6:30 p.m., at the Berne Senior Center, 1360 Helderberg Trail. 

Several other local governments — like those of Albany County, the Berne-Knox-Westerlo School District, and the towns of Guilderland, Knox, and Westerlo — have passed near-identical laws unanimously with broad community support in recent months. 

The exemption is meant to give thanks to local volunteers, while also making it easier for volunteer organizations to attract and retain members.