The Oyster Bay Town Board on June 17 passed a law designed to provide real property tax breaks for disabled residents in the town who meet income and other eligibility guidelines. With the passage of the new law, which is similar to the Senior Citizen Tax Exemption currently available to eligible citizens, Oyster Bay becomes the first town in Nassau County to offer disabled residents an overall tax exemption on the entire assessed value of real property.

"Here in the Town of Oyster Bay, our goal is to ensure that all of our residents are able to partake of the excellent quality of life we so jealously guard," Town Supervisor John Venditto said. "Even though we have held the line on taxes, and our current rate is lower than it was in 1989, disabled residents on fixed incomes may find it difficult to pay annual property taxes. In addition to the general living expenses we all incur, physically challenged residents often encounter additional obstacles and costs. Viable employment may be more difficult to secure due to disabilities. As a direct result, medical insurance, so vital for those with chronic conditions, may become impossible to maintain. I want to do all I can to ease these tremendous burdens, and the passage of this new law is a positive step in the right direction."

As authorized by state law, the town's new law is very specific in its income and other eligibility requirements. Disabled persons must have one or more of their major life activities limited due to a disability other than the current use of alcohol or illegal drugs. In addition, a candidate must meet one of the following conditions: be certified to receive Social Security Disability Insurance or Supplemental Social Security Income benefits under the Federal Social Security Act, or receive Social Security Disability benefits; be certified to receive railroad retirement disability; or possess a certificate from the state commission for the blind and visually handicapped stating that the person is legally blind.

"I want residents to be aware that the tax exemption for disabled residents is separate from, and in addition to, the Star Program, which was enacted into law last year," Venditto added, "The exemption we're talking about here can be granted to a disabled homeowner with an income under $18,500 that is equal to 50 percent of the assessed value of their property. As with the Senior Citizen Real Property Tax Exemption program, the town has adopted a sliding scale program ranging up to 45 percent of the assessed value of property owned by disabled individuals with incomes under $26,900. The new law will take effect July 1, 1998, and will apply to the assessment rolls prepared on the basis of taxable status occurring on or after this date.

"Individuals with disabilities often have needs that require reconfiguring their homes to accommodate wheelchairs and installing mechanisms that make it possible to drive automobiles with hand controls," Supervisor Venditto said. "Because the burden of adapting a home and a lifestyle to a disability can financially devastate individuals and families, the town's intergovernmental affairs department's federally funded Community Development Division was created to aid qualified physically challenged individuals in this process. Now, with the new Tax Exemption for Disabled Residents Law in place, we're taking yet another tremendously positive step toward providing our disabled residents who have limited incomes with a basic sense of security.

"When an individual knows that his home will be safeguarded, he can then go about the business of living and meeting other needs," he continued "By offering a tax exemption to eligible residents with disabilities, we go a long way toward making already challenged lives a bit easier."

For further information, town officials noted, disabled residents should call the Nassau County Assessors Office, Department of Handicapped Exemptions, at 571-2334. The Assessors Office will be working with new applicants following Labor Day.