by David Taber

The governor trekked to Somerville today to lunch at a local restaurant, discuss a proposal that would offer municipalities new fundraising options, and unveil a new property tax relief plan.

      The relief plan, described as a homeowner circuit breaker, is based on a program that provides up to $870 in property tax credit for senior citizens.  ‚Äú‚ÄùNext week we will file legislation that makes that credit available to all families,‚Äù Governor Deval Patrick said. 

       The program will effect an estimated 100,000 families and individuals across the commonwealth.  Individuals earning up to $46,000 and heads of households earning up to $58,000 or married couples earning up to $70,000 will qualify if the assessed value of their principle residence does not exceed $684,000.  The credit will cover the amount by which a household‚Äôs property tax payment, including water and sewer charges, exceeds 10 percent of their income. 

       Board of Aldermen President Robert Trane, who attended the lunch, said that the program would be a boon for many Somerville residents who are ‚Äòhouse-rich‚Äô struggling to meet obligations on their assets.  

      With regard to municipal funding, city hall communications director Thomas Champion said that the city stands to collect an additional $1 million a year if it is able to enact proposals contained in the governors Municipal Partnership Act, which Patrick filed last week.      

      Mayor Joseph Curtatone, Ward 6 Alderman Rebekah Gewirtz, Rep. Carl Sciortino, D, Somerville, and other community members were also in attendance at the meeting at Amelia‚Äôs Kitchen at 1137 Broadway in Teele Square.