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Sen. Ritchie says hundred of seniors to get reduced school taxes through enhanced STAR program

Posted 3/10/11

State Sen. Patty Ritchie claims hundreds of senior citizens in the North Country will get a reduction in their school property taxes thanks to her efforts to inform senior citizens about the benefits …

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Sen. Ritchie says hundred of seniors to get reduced school taxes through enhanced STAR program

Posted

State Sen. Patty Ritchie claims hundreds of senior citizens in the North Country will get a reduction in their school property taxes thanks to her efforts to inform senior citizens about the benefits of the Enhanced STAR program.

Ritchie utilized email, postal mail and posts on her Facebook page to inform seniors about the March 1 deadline to apply for the program.

The STAR program provides substantial property tax savings for homeowners who are turning 65 or older.

Individual Town Assessors throughout the 48th Senate District reported that dozens of homeowners who were previously unaware of the program had contacted their offices and filed applications.

Ritchie’s office said that Ogdensburg City Assessor Kathy Bateman reported results similar to what the assessors in Mexico, in Oswego County, and Adams, in Jefferson County, told them, that Sen. Ritchie’s effort reached a lot of seniors.

"Thanks to Senator Ritchie’s efforts to make people aware, they were able to qualify for this substantial tax break. But if just one person had benefitted, it would have been worth it. If it was your mom who learned she was eligible for a $60,000 reduction in her assessment, you would want her to receive it,” Bateman is quoted as saying.