FAIRFIELD — Eleven homeowners whose properties were assessed at over $1 million applied for — and received — property tax relief this year.

That was surprising news for the Board of Finance, which recommended changes to the town's senior tax-relief programs.

"This was the first year that happened," Assessor Thomas Browne told the board Tuesday night. "I don't want to say it was abuse it was creative."

One owner of a million-dollar house provided a federal income tax return that showed a negative amount for adjusted gross income, "and recently built a brand-new house on Pine Creek Avenue," he said.

Others, Browne said, quit claim life use in their homes to their parents, who then applied for the tax relief.

In response to that, a Representative Town Meeting subcommittee reviewing the programs recommended a measure to limit tax relief to properties assessed at less than $1 million and perform an assets test.

"So these 11 wouldn't be allowed [tax relief] moving forward?" finance board Vice Chairman Thomas Flynn asked Browne at Tuesday's meeting.

"Right," the assessor replied, at least under the town programs. It's possible, he said, that they could still qualify for a state program.

Flynn suggested that perhaps the maximum assessed value should be even lower. "I don't know that $1 million is the right number," he said.

Ninety percent of the participants in the programs have homes with assessed values of less than $450,000.

This year,

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there were 1,700 applicants for the relief programs.

The town offers three options to seniors and totally disabled residents: a tax credit, a tax freeze and a deferral program, with income limits ranging from $45,800 to $71,800, depending on the program.

Other recommendations include making cost-of-living adjustments to the income guidelines, possibly increasing the benefits for the lowest income levels and removing the "sunset clause" from the ordinance.

That clause requires the RTM to vote every few years to keep the tax-relief programs in place.

Instead, the finance board said the RTM should change the language to having a biannual review to make any changes necessary.

Finance board member Michael Tetreau said the last time the ordinance was brought up for renewal, "the room was packed with seniors worried that we were going to take it away."

This way, seniors can be assured that the relief programs are here to stay.

Board of Finance Chairman Kevin Kiley pushed for the subcommittee to look at increasing the benefits for those with the lowest incomes.

"The tax bill is here and the dollars in their pockets are going to expenses that are exceedingly higher," Kiley said. "We obviously can do more, and we should do more, especially for the people in the most need."

Any changes to the ordinance must be approved by the Representative Town Meeting.