By John Swinconeck, Contributing Writer
Westborough ??” A Westborough selectman said the town wants to help residents affected by high taxes, and is looking for volunteers to do so. Timothy Dodd said he wants to fill up membership on the Westborough Taxation Aid Committee in February, which would distribute donations to those in need of tax relief.
Town Meeting approved the committee in October 2013. State law allows local residents to donate funds that would be disbursed by a committee to the elderly and disabled in paying off municipal or excise taxes.
The committee will consist of the chief assessor, town treasurer, and three people appointed by selectmen, said Dodd.
Dodd said he is looking for volunteers with good judgment and who can be trusted with sensitive information.
Northborough and Hopkinton have similar programs, according to Dodd. The program is one of several ways the town is trying to help those burden by heavy taxes. Programs are available to veterans and seniors that allow them to work off their property taxes.
“The idea is to provide a tool kit with every option available to mitigate the tax burden,” Dodd said.