Director of the City of Springfield’s Department of Veterans' Services Joseph DeCaro will join for an upcoming Veteran Town Hall Meeting with the Massachusetts Executive Office of Veterans Services (EOVS) being held on Wednesday, December 11, 2024 from 1:00-2:00 p.m. at Springfield Technical Community College (STCC).
The landmark HERO Act (An Act Honoring, Empowering, and Recognizing our Servicemembers and Veterans) was passed by the state legislature and signed into law by Governor Maura Healey here in Massachusetts over the summer. The HERO Act increases benefits, modernize services and promotes inclusivity for veterans in Massachusetts.
Following the state’s adoption of the HERO Act, Mayor Domenic J. Sarno and City Councilor Kateri Walsh sponsored a local option to further expand the possible relief and exemptions available for veterans in our community. The local proposal would double property tax exemptions for eligible veterans and provide for motor vehicle excise exemptions for eligible veterans.
The Executive Office of Veterans Services (EOVS) has partnered with elected officials and local veteran organizations to host one-hour HERO Act presentations, followed by a Q&A session. The Western Massachusetts presentation/meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, December 11, 2024 from 1:00-2:00 p.m. at Springfield Technical Community College (STCC). Mayor Domenic J. Sarno along with Veterans’ Services Director Joseph DeCaro encourage veterans and their families to attend the local informational session and find out how the HERO Act impacts them.
Mayor Domenic J. Sarno states, “I commend Governor Maura Healey, Lt. Governor Kim Driscoll and our state delegation for their commitment to our veterans and signing the HERO Act to expand and modernize benefits for veterans, and also allow cities like Springfield greater local flexibility on veterans’ tax exemptions. These information sessions are important and we appreciate that one will be held in our region. Special thanks to our Veterans’ Services Director Joe DeCaro and team who continue to provide our brave and dedicated veterans and their families the care, compassion and service they need and deserve.”
Mayor Sarno continued, “My administration was very proud to join with City Councilor Kateri Walsh to sponsor a local option to double the property tax exemption for veterans. We are the beacon of hope, strength, democracy, and opportunity thanks to our veterans. It is a ‘no brainer’ to seek the highest exemption allowed by state law on behalf of our veterans. We look forward to being able to assist even more residents with this proposal as the HERO Act expands the state’s definition of a veteran, allowing for more veterans and their spouses to qualify for certain benefits. I would also like to thank my dedicated and award-winning finance and assessors’ teams led by CAFO Cathy Buono and Chairman of the Board of Assessors Patrick Greenhalgh for their support and work to establish our proposed local option to further support our veterans.”
Veterans’ Services Director Joe DeCaro states, “This broad statewide legislation impacts the benefits and assistance for our veterans and expands who qualifies as a veteran regarding reservists and guardsmen. The legislation also broadens the Chapter 115 definition of a veteran, waives certain license plate fees, lengthens the timeframe for veterans to participate in the Active-Duty Service Buyback program, and allows veterans on Chapter 115 to be reimbursed for outpatient behavioral health care visits. I thank Mayor Sarno and the City Council for their careful consideration of this option for our veterans. At the Springfield Department of Veterans’ Services we remain committed to connecting veterans with all the benefits and resources they are eligible for and helping our veterans and their families navigate the benefits process. We are here to help and encourage veterans to attend an info session and also reach out to us for assistance to determine how this landmark legislation may impact them and their families.”
Please see the flyer for a list of the EOVS sessions throughout Massachusetts.
