North Hempstead Exempts Disabled Veterans From Property Taxes

The Town of North Hempstead Town Board voted unanimously Tuesday to exempt seriously disabled veterans from town property taxes, a move officials said would provide direct financial relief to some of the community’s most vulnerable residents.

The board approved the measure at its March 10 meeting. Supervisor Jennifer DeSena said the town would notify eligible residents of the exemption. Town Attorney Rich Nicolello said very few residents would qualify but did not provide an estimate of how many people would benefit from the change.

Council Member Yaron Levy and Council Member Mariann Dalimonte pushed the board to go further. The two members suggested the board send letters to all school districts within the town, urging them to adopt similar exemptions at their level.

“We’re talking about people, men and women, salt of the earth, who have given every fiber of their body,” Levy said.

School district property taxes represent the largest portion of a Long Island homeowner’s annual tax bill. Town taxes typically account for a smaller share, meaning a broader exemption at the school district level could deliver significantly more savings to qualifying veterans.

The town board also heard public comment from Claudia Kessler, a North Hempstead resident who works independently to rescue stray and abandoned cats across the town. Kessler opened her remarks by distinguishing herself from activists who have spent more than a year pressuring the town to open a dedicated cat shelter.

“I’m here to talk about friendly cats that are on our streets, that have nowhere to go, and if it wasn’t for me and other rescues in the area, they would be living on the streets,” Kessler said.

Kessler told the board she had a specific rescue story from each council member’s district. She said the work comes at a steep personal cost, noting she has spent tens of thousands of her own dollars on care, spay and neuter procedures, and euthanasia for animals in need. She said she receives some donations but the financial burden falls primarily on her.

“One of them had to have his eye removed. I paid for that,” Kessler said.

She urged the board to explore alternative approaches to addressing the town’s stray cat population, including coordinating with local veterinarians. She stopped short of calling for a town-run shelter.

“There’s a lot of work to be done, and I can’t do it myself,” Kessler said.

In other business, the board unanimously approved several traffic and parking measures in New Hyde Park. The board established a handicap parking space in front of 134 Sycamore Drive, approved a rescission of a “No Parking midnight to 6 p.m.” restriction on Cherry Lane, and authorized the addition of a stop sign on Elm Drive.

All measures passed without opposition.

The North Hempstead Town Board will hold its next scheduled meeting on Wednesday, April 15, at 7 p.m.