Public Hearing held November 14, 2023

Local option adopted
Albany County local law B/2023 introduced 3/13/23 begins January 1, 2025 general tax bill.
Town of Colonie local law 472/2023 introduced 10/12/23 begins Jan. 1, 2025 general tax bill.
Fire Protection Districts and various Fire Districts resolutions to begin Jan. 1, 2025 general tax.

Qualifications
Enrolled active members of an incorporated volunteer fire company or department or incorporated volunteer ambulance service who serve 2 or more years and who own and reside in a house in the town, may qualify for a 10% exemption from taxing jurisdictions whom opt into a local law.  

Additional qualifications
Life member for 20 active years of service or more.
Life member for un-remarried surviving spouse due to worker killed in line of duty.
Life member for un-remarried surviving spouse of worker who had 20 years of service.
Certification: (authority having jurisdiction)
Fire Districts – Board of Commissioners (Boght, Midway, Schuyler, Stanford, Verdoy, West Albany)
Fire Protections District – Town Board (Fuller Road, Latham, Maplewood, Shaker Road)
Village Fire Districts – Village Board (Village of Colonie, Village of Menands)
Application Process
Complete form RP-466-a
Seek Certification from authority having jurisdiction
Return application, certification, and driver’s license to the town Assessor’s Office by March 1st.

Estimated Exempt Amount for Town of Colonie average Assessment of $140,000
School: $140,000 x 10% = $14,000 exemption x $29.085225/$1,000 assessed $407.19
County: $140,000 x 10% = $14,000 exemption x $5.68/$1,000 assessed $79.52
Town: $140,000 x 10% = $14,000 exemption x $4.289/$1,000 assessed $60.00 
Fire District: $140,000 x 10% = $14,000 exempt x $2.176/$1,000 assessed :$30.46:

Total Estimated Savings: $577.17

Estimated impact to school district taxpayers in Town of Colonie
6 fire departments x 100 active members/fire department x $407/member = $244,200
(0.34% shift to other taxpayers, less than $14 on the average assessed property)

For additional questions, please contact Jacqlene McAllister, Assistant Superintendent for Management Services and Strategic Planning.