Council panel backs full pension hike for shot officer

Select Board · Meeting of September 21, 2026

WOBURN — A Woburn City Council committee backed raising a disabled officer's pension to 100 percent and expanding a veterans tax break. The Committee on Liaison, chaired by Council President Toro, voted unanimously to recommend a home rule petition lifting Officer Robert D'Apple's post-65 pension from 80 percent to 100 percent of salary, a change Mayor Concannon said costs $17,427.82 annually. Councilor Demers called for "maximum effort" for officers who "take a bullet for the city." The committee also recommended expanding a property tax exemption for veterans, seniors and the blind under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 59, Section 5C½, estimated by City Auditor Charlie Doherty at $26,000 in added annual cost, effective fiscal year 2028.

Chief Appraisal Officer John Conley said 79 percent of applicants already reach the exemption cap. A separate committee sent a Cummings Properties special permit back for action to the October 6 council meeting rather than voting on it.

In the full story:

• Who Was There
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• The complete report — 2,728 words

Source: the Select Board meeting of September 21, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.