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Town of Medway, Massachusetts
Senior Volunteer Services Program
Implementing Instructions

Under MGL Ch. 59, Sec. 5K, and as accepted by the town of Medway during its Annual Town Meeting of May 8, 2000, Article #7 of the Annual Town Report, the following is issued as implementing instructions:

1.  Eligibility
    Any homeowner who is 60 years old and a resident of Medway may receive on a home that he/she owns and occupies in Medway a "Senior Citizen Property Tax Work-off Abatement" not to exceed $500 in any fiscal year.

2.  How to Apply
    The Medway Senior Center/Council on Aging shall assist and coordinate between town departments and homeowners who want to participate in the Work-off Abatement Program.  The Senior Center/Council on Aging have available a Contract-of-Service Form that a senior citizen must complete and file with the Town Department for which that citizen desires to perform service.  If the service contract is accepted by the department, a copy of the contract shall be sent to the COA for their files and in order for them to monitor the program so that the number of 55 participants is not exceeded.

3.  Monitoring the Program
   A. Number of Participants.  The Senior Center/Council on Aging will be responsible for monitoring the total number of applicants so as not to exceed the town-approved number of 55 "Senior Citizen Tax Work-off Abatement" participants.
   B. Contract.  The Senior Center/Council on Aging shall complete a Town-of-Medway "Contract for Services" for each participant, copies of which will be shared with the Town Department for which the participant will be working and the participant.
   C. Certificate of Completion to Board of Assessors.  The board, officer, or department supervising the participant's volunteer services must certify to the Board of Assessors the amount of services performed by the participant as of the time the actual tax for the fiscal year is committed.  Services performed after that date would be credited toward the next fiscal year's actual tax bill to the extent consistent with program rules established by the Towne of Medway.

4.  Status of Participants
    A. The amount of property tax reduction the participant receives under this statute is not considered income or wages for purposes of state income tax withholding, unemployment compensation or workmen's compensation.
    B. The participant (taxpayer) performing services in return for property tax reduction is an employee for purposes of town tort liability.  The Town of Medway will therefore be liable for damages for injuries to third parties and for indemnification of the participant to the same extent as it is in the case of injuries caused by regular town employees.

5. Funding for Program
    The Medway Board of Assessors will use the Overlay Account for the purpose of abating the property taxes of the participants of the "Senior Citizen Property Tax Work-off Abatement" Program, as authorized by MGL Ch. 59, Sec. 5K.

(This is a reproduction of the Implementing Instructions issued
by the Town of Medway created by MedwayToday.com.)