Thea Digiammerino

Norwich Offering Property Tax Break for Gold Star Families

Norwich Gold Star families who have a child or a spouse “killed in action, while performing active military duty with the armed forces” are entitled to a tax exemption of 10 percent of the assessed value of the property, no more than $10,000.

The city of Norwich is offering a tax break for military families who have lost a child or a spouse while serving in the Armed Forces.

Norwich Gold Star families who have a child or a spouse “killed in action, while performing active military duty with the armed forces” are entitled to a tax exemption of 10 percent of the assessed value of the property, no more than $10,000.

“I don’t think you can do enough for a family who’s lost a loved one in service to the county,” said Mayor Peter Nystrom.

The city council unanimously passed the ordinance Monday after a state statute took effect last October that allowed cities and towns to provide property tax breaks to Gold Star families.

“Someone lost their life in service to their country and I can’t think of a higher price,” Nystrom said.

John Waggoner, the president of the Norwich Area Veterans Council, is giving the city kudos for the move.

“I think it’s about time that they get some type of a break for what they went through,” Waggoner said.

He and his brother served with the Navy on a destroyer during the Vietnam War.

While they came home safe, he knows many people who didn’t, including three people from Norwich – one of whom he went to grammar school with and another he played football with as a kid.

“I don’t think people realize what the families go through with a veteran in service, let alone losing one,” Waggoner said.

He’s hoping this is a first step and even more will eventually be done for Gold Star families.

Gold Star families who live in Norwich will need to file for this property tax break through the city assessor’s office.

Contact Us