Erika Moschetti
For Immediate Release
January 28, 2026
New City, NY – Supervisor George Hoehmann and the Town Board have moved to make Clarkstown the first town in Rockland County to grant a real property tax reduction to Police Auxiliary volunteers.
The Town was given authorization to enact the tax reduction after new state legislation went into effect. Towns can “opt in” and offer a tax exemption of up to 10% on the assessed value of the primary residence of police auxiliary volunteers. This legislation mirrored a New York State Real Property Tax Law amendment passed in 2024, which gave local governments the authority to pass a local law giving the same exemption to volunteer EMS and firefighters.
Supervisor George Hoehmann stated, “I am delighted to extend this tax relief benefit to our auxiliary police volunteers, which is something the Town had been lobbying for since 2024. Clarkstown will provide the maximum 10% exemption allowed under the state legislation to our auxiliary police officers, just as it had done previously for the firefighters and EMS volunteers.”
Clarkstown Police Auxiliary Officers provide an invaluable service to the town by assisting in matters such as routine traffic and crowd control which would otherwise need to be covered by an on-duty officer. Combined, our Auxiliary Officers typically log in over 8,000 hours of volunteer service each year, helping keep our community safe and saving taxpayers significant money by reducing police overtime.
Under the provisions of the new local law, the primary residential real property owned by an enrolled member of the volunteer auxiliary police shall be eligible for the 10% exemption provided the following criteria are met:
A. The applicant resides in the Town or Village in which they serve as an auxiliary volunteer.
B. The property is the primary residence of the applicant.
C. The property is used exclusively for residential purposes; provided, however, that in the event that any portion of such property is not used exclusively for the applicant’s residence, but is used for other purposes, such portion shall be subject to taxation and the remaining portion only shall be entitled to the exemption provided by this article.
D. The applicant has been certified by the law enforcement agency in which such volunteer auxiliary police officer serves as an active member as determined by the local law enforcement agency’s standards for at least five years.
Eligible volunteers must submit an application to the Town Assessor’s office in order to receive the benefit. The deadline to apply for a reduction on the 2027 tax bill is March 1, 2026.
Supervisor Hoehmann concluded, “I am grateful to the members of the Town Council for their support in working together to get this local law passed to assist these dedicated volunteers, who give so much to our community. This tax relief will be a useful tool in recruiting new volunteers, who are needed in the auxiliary at this time. If you or anyone you know are interested in serving, please contact the Clarkstown Police Department at 845-639-5800.”
Ray Francis, Captain of Clarkstown Police Auxiliary, said, “Thank you to Supervisor Hoehmann and the Town Board for supporting the property tax exemption for police auxiliary members. We are a hard working team of volunteers and this initiative is a great incentive for recruitment and retention of our membership. We are honored to serve our community and grateful for this act of appreciation.”
Clarkstown Police Chief Jeff Wanamaker stated, “Auxiliary police officers provide valuable public service by supporting the operations of the police department and enhancing public safety during town sponsored community events. I would like to thank Supervisor Hoehmann and the members of the Town Board for their support of this tax exemption, which appropriately recognizes the dedication of these officers and reflects our shared commitment to civic responsibility and the safety and well-being of our residents.”
At the January 13th meeting, the Town Board authorized a public hearing to take place on February 10th when this tax relief will be formally enacted.
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