City Approves Senior Citizen Tax Break for Next Year

The Danbury City Council moved its budget forward after a public hearing Monday that also led to approvals for the city's voting map, its operating budget, capital budget, senior citizen tax freeze and an early retirement plan.

The senior property tax freeze plan serves about 1,100 elderly Danbury residents, and it costs the city about $600,000 a year, said Danbury Mayor Mark Boughton.

In addition to the property tax break for seniors, the City Council also moved the city's budget forward. It is scheduled to be voted on by the full council at the May meeting.

The council also approved the new political map for the city, which draws the city's ward lines and its legislative districts. The map tells people where they vote during elections

In an effort to lower future pension and health care costs, the City Council agreed Monday night to the proposal for an early retirement plan for nearly 100 city employees.

Employees who have reached the number 75 for the sum of their age plus years of city service are eligible for the plan. Workers will be able to cash out their pension plus collect an additional bonus of $1,000 per year of service. In addition to cashing out their pensions, plus getting the $1,000 for each year of service, workers will also be paid for unused vacation and sick time.

Mayor Boughton said workers will be mailed details of the plan later this week, and they will meet with pension professionals in May. Their decision must be received by June 13, and their last day of work will be June 30.