HAMDEN — When the bills come due July 1, some senior citizens will be getting an extra break on their taxes.

Thanks to a unanimous vote of the Legislative Council Monday night, elderly residents who meet certain income guidelines will get a $1,000 rebate. "I am real proud to say this is the highest senior tax rebate in Hamden history," said Councilman Curt Leng, D-6, who was chairman of the committee that worked on tax benefits for senior citizens and veterans.

Under the new guidelines, single or married people who earn up to $18,250 will get a $1,000 break. Under the old rebate structure, single senior citizens were getting a $550 rebate and a married couple’s tax bill was cut by $600.

For those who earn up to $29,800 if single or $36,500 if married, a $600 rebate will be available as of July 1. Those people had been receiving rebates of $300 to $400.

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About 450 seniors are part of the program now. People who believe they are now eligible should contact the assessor’s office, Leng said. "The intent for next year is to increase the income eligibility," he said.

The council covered the $165,000 expected loss in revenue when it planned for the budget that takes effect July 1.

Also Monday night, the council increased the Board of Education’s budget by $821,079 so that a deficit in special education funding can be covered. Of the amount, $432,794 will come from the fund balance. The rest will be reimbursed by the state.

Councilwoman Gretchen Callahan, D-4, asked for a breakdown in the number of special education students who have come into the district since the last fiscal year and how many have been placed out of district. School board Finance Committee Chairman Ed Sullivan said he would provide the council with the information by today.

Superintendent of Schools Frances M. Rabinowitz told the council that school officials continue to study the move of the district’s central office from 60 Putnam Ave. to Hamden Government Center.

She said that she’s not opposed to moving, but needs to ascertain that the town offices have space to accommodate all school officials she needs to have with her on a daily basis.

She also warned the council that there will be costs associated with moving special education administrators and two special education programs for secondary students, STEPS and REACH, from 60 Putnam to Alice Peck School.BIZ