By Ciara Hooks
Journal Inquirer
SOUTHINGTON, Conn. — Trooper First Class Aaron Pelletier’s family along with the families of other first responders killed while on duty on or after Jan.1, 2024, will now get tax relief from the town.
Southington Town Council unanimously approved the Aaron Pelletier Public Servant Surviving Spouse Line of Duty Tax Abatement Ordinance at the recent meeting.
The town already offers tax abatement programs for veterans, the elderly and people with disabilities, said Southington Town Council Chair Paul Chaplinsky.
“Today, we continue to lead by supporting the spouses of emergency responder public servants who tragically lost their lives in the line of duty, while serving us all,” Chaplinsky said. “My hope is they take comfort knowing their community loves and stands with them and their families.”
The abatement would apply to any police officers, firefighters, or emergency medical service providers who live in town, meet the eligibility criteria and were killed in the line of duty. It offers a 100 percent tax abatement on all Southington real property and real estate taxes up to $10,000 per year. It does not apply to taxes owed for any properties or assets located outside of Southington.
“This ordinance was really designed as a way for the community to give back to those who serve us, and I have to say that I’m quite proud that we were able to accomplish this,” said Town Council Vice Chair Jim Morelli, who proposed the ordinance.
Pelletier was struck by a vehicle while making a traffic stop on the side of Interstate 84 in Southington in May. His death shook the community with hundreds attending his wake and more than 1,500 people at his funeral.
The Parks and Recreation Board is also considering naming a local field after him as a part of the Southern Southington Little League.
Lewis Schassler who has been a resident and active member of the community since 2002, said it’s great the council is helping Pelletier’s spouse and its residents in a time of need, but the town needs to look at other residents’ situations too.
He said he and his wife are disabled and their household income dropped 50 percent. He said he has been consistently looking for tax assistance and advocating for tax assistance for those in similar situations.
“There are other people that are struggling if a spouse dies also, and seniors and some are disabled, and they just want a little dignity before they die, won’t have to sell their home, be homeless, or whatever options there are,” he said. “They just want to live out the rest of their life with a little decency.”
He said the state has also “done a poor job of this.”
Schassler highlighted an earlier comment from Morelli’s about how the town rallies around the residents and felt if people knew more about how seniors or people with disabilities struggled, they would want to help also.
“I’ve talked to a few neighbors so far and they’ve said, ‘Hey, you need help? I’ll come watch your wife so you can go out, get a breather, whatever,’” he said. “So I know people care in this town. They just don’t know.”
Morelli said he understood the negative aspects of the public’s comments.
“But I think in a situation like this where it’s such a tragedy and the person put their life on the line for the community,” he said. “I think it’s the least that the community can do to show support for the family at a loss.”
Southington joins at least seven other towns in the state with these statutes or ordinances to provided tax relief for the families of first responders killed while on duty and will continue to find best ways to help and serve its residents.
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