The Haverhill City Council set the wheels in motion this week to adopt a program allowing homeowners who are veterans to volunteer in exchange for property tax reductions.
Veteran advocate Donald R. Jarvis of Haverhill explained the measure is part of a larger program called the Valor Act which was passed in 2012 in recognition of the service of military personnel in Afghanistan and Iraq.
“What I would recommend and what I would seek from the city is that they consider adopting minimum wage times the number of hours of community service, not to exceed 125 hours and also not to exceed the maximum of a $1,500 reduction,” Jarvis explained.
Jarvis, who also serves as jr. vice commander for VFW Lorraine Post 29, said that having done this before in Newbury, he knows it must be approved by a number of departments and takes time to get it up and running.
The Council expressed support for the project. Councilor Mary Ellen Daly O’Brien said it was wonderful idea and a way the city could give back to veterans. Councilors voted unanimously to send the proposal to its Administration and Finance Committee.