Albany hearing on senior tax‑exemption affidavit draws no public comment

Albany City opened a public hearing at 11:03 a.m. to consider Local Law B of 2026, which would amend the city code’s senior citizens tax‑exemption provisions to allow property owners who have received the exemption for five consecutive years to submit a signed affidavit instead of filing an annual renewal application. "This public hearing is being held to allow the general public to provide testimony and support for opposition for local law b and local law c of 2026, which is currently before the mayor for consideration," the clerk announced.

The clerk told the meeting that the full text of the proposed law is posted on the city website under the Common Council public hearings section and read the law aloud for the record, specifying that the change targets article 3 (senior citizens tax exemption) of chapter 3‑33 of the code of the City of Albany. The reading repeated that the affidavit option would apply to property owners who have received the exemption for five consecutive years.

The hearing record names Mayor Dr. Dorsey Perez and Shaniqua Jackson, City Clerk, as present. The clerk also stated that no one had signed up to provide public comment in support of or opposition to the proposal. After a brief 5–10 minute recess intended to allow late arrivals, the clerk reconvened and again confirmed no public commenters had appeared; the hearing was closed at 11:15 a.m.

Because the hearing concluded with no public testimony, no public positions for or against the proposed change were recorded in the meeting transcript. The measure remains before the mayor for consideration; the clerk directed viewers to www.albanyny.gov for the full text and additional details.