Parents of fallen military members will receive a property tax abatement after North Adams City Council approved a Hero Act provision April 14.

NORTH ADAMS — The city will waive property taxes for parents of veterans who died from injuries sustained during active duty, in a gesture aimed at easing the burden on grieving families.

City Council unanimously adopted a provision of the Hero Act at an April 14 meeting for Gold Star parents — those who have lost a child in military service.

The Hero Act — or An Act Honoring, Empowering, and Recognizing our Servicemembers and Veterans — is a slate of state legislation signed into law in 2024 that cities and towns can adopt to bolster veteran services and resources.

Mayor Jennifer Macksey introduced the provision to City Council. It is the second Gold Star property tax abatement the city has passed, the first being for Gold Star spouses.

"With Memorial Day being around the corner, we as a team, decided that this will be the most meaningful impact we could have, out of respect for our fallen soldiers," said Macksey. "The abatement would vary according to your assessment and what your tax bill is but it's marginal considering the sacrifice these families have made for us."

The average property tax bill for a single family home is currently about $3,893, an increase of about $126 from last year.

To qualify, parents of deceased soldiers must be Massachusetts residents for at least five years prior to applying for the abatement or their child must have been a resident six months before entering into the service, said Veterans Services Officer Kurtis Durocher.

According to Durocher, there is currently one family in the city that qualifies for the abatement — “But that's one family that we could help tremendously,” Macksey said.

Durocher agreed, saying "it makes sense that we recognize and take care of the one Gold Star parents we currently have in North Adams."

Though the Council adopted the policy unanimously, there was some discussion. Councilor Keith Bona said he wanted to support it but raised concern that the law might be an incentive for people to move to the city in order to qualify for the abatement. He raised the issue, saying that someone from the “tip of the Cape” could move and receive it but not someone the community already knows from just over the border in Stamford, Vt.

Councilor Bryan Sapienza, who was also in support of the act, raised concern that because the abatements are not reimbursed by the state, the city and taxpayers cover the cost. But because it is one family, he didn’t think it would have a noticeable impact on taxpayers.

Durocher replied that North Adams would be among other communities to pass this provision, including Pittsfield, Cheshire and Lanesborough.

In 2024, Lanesborough voters controversially rejected a Gold Star tax abatement, citing similar concerns of North Adams city councilors.

The following year, Lanesborough voters adopted the law.

The provision provided an abatement for the parents of Staff Sergeant Jacob Galliher, who was killed in 2023 when the Osprey V-22 he was in crashed off the coast of Japan. His family opened coffee shop Jake’s Java on Williamstown Road in 2024 in his honor.

Durocher said the city did not anticipate an influx of Gold Star parents moving from around the state “to take advantage” because they can get these same abatements in Boston, on the Cape, and across most communities.

“But if we are, I think it would be doing something really good in the city that people want to come here,” he said. “It's not enough [money] to get someone to move here, but if it was, I welcome them.”

Councilor Marie McCarron thanked Macksey for introducing the provision.

"This is a very meaningful way to honor our Gold Star parents, and I'm just grateful that we only have one,” she said.

On May 22, the city will also honor its fallen heroes with its first ever Hometown Hero celebration. Coffee and pastries will be provided by Jake's Java.