With the option of extending the alternative veterans' tax exemption to school taxes, the Berne-Knox-Westerlo school board held a public hearing on the question but hasn't yet taken a vote.

Rensselaerville assessor Donna Kropp was the subject of an ethics case last year — ultimately determined to be unfounded due to missing files — brought by a complaint of Jeffry Pine, a former assessor for the town who is now  running against her in the upcoming election.

To curb fraud, homeowners will now have to register to get school tax relief in 2014.

The New York State Tax Department has a new online STAR (School TAx Relief) Registration platform for homeowners currently receiving the Basic STAR property tax exemption.