Berne introduces first-responder tax exemption

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.

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  • Albany County is alleging that the town of Knox used $18,000 worth of road salt without permission and is demanding compensation. Knox Supervisor Russ Pokorny told The Enterprise the town will likely challenge the valuation. 

  • The town of Knox has hired attorney Daniel Rubin to represent it against Albany County, which has accused the town of misappropriating a shared salt supply and is demanding $18,000 in compensation.

  • Berne-Knox-Westerlo is looking at a roughly $700,000 shortfall in its 2025-26 budget despite a 3.3 percent property-tax hike, due to widespread cost increases and decreases in state aid. The gap will have to be closed through “creative” reductions, Superintendent Bonnie Kane said. 

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