Exeter council continues review of proposed 100% disabled-veteran property tax exemption

Exeter’s Town Council on Monday heard a request from local veteran advocates to adopt a property tax exemption for veterans with 100% service-connected disabilities, but members agreed to continue the item to collect financial estimates and qualifying household counts.

John Ciente, identified in the meeting as a department commander and veteran service officer, urged the council to adopt a municipal waiver patterned after ordinances in Scituate and Cranston so the town could better support veterans who are rated by the Department of Veterans Affairs at 100% service-connected disability. “It is a quality-of-life issue,” Ciente said, asking the council to send a message that Exeter honors veterans’ sacrifices.

Council members and staff pressed for fiscal details. The assessor’s office and finance director noted Exeter’s narrow tax base and the town’s existing exemption load, saying a full 100% exemption would reduce town revenue. Staff provided an initial estimate — drawn from known local cases — of roughly $29,300 annually if three households qualified, and cautioned that total exemptions across categories already total millions of dollars in foregone tax revenue.

Several councilors suggested alternatives to a full 100% exemption, such as a phased approach, a capped dollar amount, or a locally approved additional credit rather than complete abatement. The council requested that Ciente and town staff supply documentation of how many 100% disabled veterans reside in town and comparative ordinance language from other municipalities. The item was continued to the unfinished-business list for the next monthly meeting so staff can supply cost estimates and draft warrant language.

No formal vote on an ordinance or warrant article was taken; councilors said any change would be discussed as part of the budget and warrant process.