Section 1.  Whereas Rutland Police Detective John D. Songy of Leicester, died after contracting COVID-19 on May 29, 2020.

Section 2. Whereas, MGL 59, Section 5, Clause 42 allows for the full exemption from property taxes for surviving spouses of police officers killed in the line of duty.

Section 3.  Whereas, the U.S. Department of Justice determined that Detective Songy perished in the line of duty though contraction of COVID-19 at the workplace.

Section 4. Whereas, the definition of “Killed in the line of duty” according to the Massachusetts Division of Local Services is: “Death as a result of some violent act, or occurrence of violent external physical force to the body, while in the line of duty.”

Section 5. Whereas, the Town has been prohibited by the Division of Local Services from granting a property tax exemption pursuant to MGL 59, Section 5, Clause 42 to Detective Songy’s surviving spouse because death from the coronavirus does not meet the Division of Local Service’s definition.

Section 6. Whereas, the Town, through this petition, respectfully requests the authority to grant such exemption, pursuant to and under the terms of MGL 59, Section 5, Clause 42, retroactive to fiscal year 2020, and forward; or take any other action in relation thereon.