BY NICHOLAS BROWN

The Hooksett Town Council is considering axing the asset ceiling for elderly residents seeking tax exemptions.

The move would violate state statutes, and make Hooksett the only town in the state without an asset cap for seniors seeking tax relief, said Hooksett Assessing Coordinator Sandy Piper.

Councilor David Ross proposed removing the $350,000 asset limitation – which the council established earlier this year – after receiving complaints from constituents. From 2003 until this spring, there had been no asset limits for residents 65 and older seeking tax relief.

At a Wednesday, Dec. 6, meeting, Ross questioned the previous council’s decision to remove the cap, though that decision followed advice from the state Department of Revenue Administration.

“More study needs to be done,” said Ross. “I don’t think there was enough foresight put into it.”

Ross said the asset cap, which doesn’t include the primary residence and up to two acres of land, may be driving older residents with little or no income out of Hooksett.

“They don’t have the option of climbing the corporate ladder any longer,” Ross said.

Piper said her department simply can’t, based on state law, remove the cap entirely. Piper said her department has already sent out 315 letters to elderly residents who’ve received exemptions. The letters inform residents they must reapply if they wish to receive an exemption. Also included is a form in which residents are required to give the proper values of their assets.

“Three hundred-fifteen letters went out, and I’m sure not all the 315 existing residents will reapply,” said Piper.

Piper said her department has gotten complaints from elderly residents who’ve said the in-person application process for exemptions is too demanding. But Piper said Hooksett’s elderly have been getting it good for years when it comes to tax exemptions.

She said towns like Manchester, Bow, Goffstown and Bedford all have more stringent qualifications for elderly tax relief than does Hooksett.

“We are one of the best and it still doesn’t satisfy people,” she said. “If you want the exemption, you do need to work for it some.”

She said tax relief for elderly throughout the state is far from a given right.

“Just because you’re 65, it’s not an automatic,” she said.

Town Councilor Jason Hyde said he doesn’t understand why there’s any tax relief for the elderly.

“The whole concept to me is ridiculous,” he said. “It’s socialistic and it’s out of the norm of what should be happening.”

Under the current system, elderly residents with a single annual income of less than $35,000, or a married income of less than $50,000 can apply for tax relief if they’re under the $350,000 asset cap.

As an example, a 75-year-old who doesn’t exceed the asset and income caps, can be spared paying taxes on $96,300 of their property value. Under the current tax rate, that person would get $2,864 worth of tax relief this year.

Some councilors said elderly residents may be struggling with the reapplication process, especially when it comes to pricing their assets.

Councilor Pat Rueppel said some residents may be “fearful” of completing the form incorrectly, or of putting incorrect values since “It says they will be prosecuted for perjury.”

Resident Harold Murray told the council the form asked him “ridiculous” questions related to valuing his assets. As an example, he said, “I have a boat that everybody thinks is worth a million dollars. I think it’s worth about 10 bucks.”

The council tabled the discussion, until getting feedback from the board of assessors. That group, composed of five town councilors, was scheduled to meet after press time.