Karrie Allen is reporting in the Chatham Courier the Chatham Board of Education approved a resolution approving the Alternative Veterans' Exemption following a hearing, Tue., Feb. 23. The exemption approved applies only to combat veterans. The vote was split, 5 to 4. The hearing was attended by more than 20 people, including Suzette Booy, director of the county Real Property Tax Service Agency, and Columbia County Clerk Holly Tanner. The board heard from community members speaking in favor of the resolution, and against. The exemption will result in a an additional $8.32 on a tax bill for a property assessed at $100,000 located in the Chatham district. For a veteran with a property at the same value, they will save $304, or more than 19 percent. New Lebanon is now the only school district in Columbia County that has not held a vote on the exemption. Read the full story in the Chatham Courier.