Spouses of police officers killed in the line of duty in three Long Island towns will receive a 50% reduction in town property taxes, after local boards passed new resolutions based on recently enacted state law.
The towns of Brookhaven, Islip, and Huntington voted last week to adopt the policy. The new state law permits towns, school districts, and other taxing entities to apply a maximum 50% reduction on the local portion of taxes for the spouses of officers who died in the line of duty.
Huntington specifically expanded the policy to include spouses of firefighters and emergency medical personnel who died in the line of duty, as well as service members serving in combat zones.
The tax reduction applies only to the town portion of property taxes and only for primary residences. School district, fire department, or other administrative taxes must still be paid in full unless those specific entities pass similar policies.
Michelle Holfester spoke before the Brookhaven Town Board, expressing gratitude on behalf of surviving families. Her husband, NYPD Detective William Holfester, passed away in 2008 due to a 9/11-related illness.
In Islip, the Town Board voted 5-0 in favor of the policy. Councilman Michael McElwee emphasized that this is a way to show gratitude to those who sacrificed to protect the community and to support their families.
These three towns join other Suffolk County localities, including Riverhead, Smithtown, and Babylon, which have already approved similar policies. Meanwhile, Nassau County and the town of Oyster Bay are still considering voting on the proposal.
