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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-12-17 Board of Assessors Minutesiir o\ Town of Reading Meeting Minutes RECEIVED TOWN CLERK CAGING, MASS. Board - committee - commission - Council: Board of Assessors 1010 SEP 15 P 15>f Date: 2013 -12 -17 Time: 7:00 PM Building: Reading Town Hall Location: Selectmen Meeting Room Address: 16 Lowell Street Purpose: FY 2014 Classification Hearing Attendees: Members - Present: Fred A. McGrane & Robert J. Quinn, Jr. Members - Not Present: Francis Golden Others Present: Victory Submitted Minutes Respectfully Submitted ey: Robert J. Quinn Jr. Topics of Discussion: THE MEETING WAS HELD IN THE ASSESSORS OFFICE IN TOWN HALL. THE TAX CLASSIFICATION HEARING WAS HELD IN THE SELECTMEN'S MEETING ROOM. PLEASE SEE THE ATTACHED. Page I 1 DECEMBER 17, 2013 CONTINUATION SHEET CALL to ORDER: Vice Chairman Fred McGrane called the meeting to order at 7 PM. The Board last met on November 5, 2013. 1. FY 2014 TAX CLASSIFICATION HEARING: The hearing took place in the Selectmen's Meeting Room. Mr. Santaniello spoke on behalf of the Board of Assessors, beginning his presentation about 8:30 PM. All five Selectmen were present as were the Town Manager and members of the public. Mr. Santaniello began by stating that tonight's presentation was going to be virtually identical to the one which he presented to the Selectmen on November 5th. The most significant difference between the two was that the indicated (single) tax rate has been reduced from $14.76/mil to $14.74/mil. He cautioned that the $14.74 /mil tax rate was still subject to MADOR approval. The presentation included a table showing comparative tax data for Reading and 23 other comparable communities (as selected by FINCOM) and other charts and tables depicting historical data. The average value of a single family home increased from $432,300 to $446,100 from FY 2013 to FY 2014. The average tax bill will increase from $6,459 to $6,575. The average value of a commercial property decreased from $1,507,900 to $1,439,700 from FY 2013 to FY 2014. The average tax bill will decrease from $22,527 to $21,221. Responding to questions from some of the Selectmen, Mr. Santaniello attributed the decrease in commercial values partly to the correction of a long standing issue with respect to the valuation of commercial land. He also confirmed that there are no long term tax concession arrangements in place. The Selectmen voted to adopt a minimum residential factor of 1. They also voted against the adoption of an Open Space Discount, a Residential Exemption or a Small Commercial Exemption. All votes were unanimous, 5 -0 -0. 2 MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING(S): A copy of the draft minutes for the Board's July 9, 2013 meeting was circulated on November 13, 2013. No changes were proposed. A motion by Mr. McCrrane seconded by Mr. Quinn to approve these minutes as written was approved by a vote of 2 -0 -0. A copy of the draft minutes for the Board's October 15, 2013 meeting was circulated on November 18, 2013. No changes were proposed. A motion by Mr. McGrane seconded by Mr. Quinn to approve these minutes as written was approved by a vote of 2 -0 -0. 3. TOWN APPRAISER'S REPORT: The Bureau of Local Assessment completed its preliminary review of Reading's revaluation program on December 11, 2013. Notification of Certification followed on December 13, 2013. The Board reviewed copies of the FY 2014 Classification Information package to be presented to the Board of Selectmen by Mr. Santaniello later this evening. A preliminary presentation was made to the Board of Selectmen on November 5, 2013. Tonight's presentation will be substantially identical, except that the indicated (single) tax rate has been reduced to $14.74/mil. This change is attributable to the decrease in the estimated tax levy, from $56,536,797 to $56,444,070. The total valuation of all property classes is unchanged at $3,829,312,775. Mr. Santaniello stated that the FY 2014 real estate tax bills have been tested and are ready to go. Only the final approved tax rate(s) will need to be "dropped W'. Mr. Santaniello reported that he has had settlement discussions with the owner of four properties. He recommended that the Board settle all four appeals for FY 2012 now pending before the ATB with respect to these properties. His specific recommendations follow: * $121,700 abatement e: 75 Haven Street; * $104,800 abatement re: 307 Main Street; * $6,900 abatement re: 506 Summer Avenue, and No abatement will be granted with respect to 301 Main Street. A motion by McGrane seconded by Quinn that the Board approve the settlement as recommended by the Chief Appraiser was approved by a vote of 2 -0 -0. All present then went downstairs to join the Board of Selectmen meeting already in progress. 4. OTHER SIGNINGS: The Board signed routine Motor Vehicle Excise Tax abatements totaling $4,862.35 and Property Tax Work -Off Abatements totaling $20,670. 2013 Motor Vehicle Excise Tax Commitment 46 was previously signed by Quinn and McGrane on November 21 st and 26th, respectively. The total amount of the Commitment was $47,803.63. 5. NEW BUSINESS: None. 6. CHARTER REVIEW: The Charter Review Committee is considering whether the members of the Board of Assessors should continue to be elected or appointed. Mr. Quinn would like this subject to be discussed at some future meeting of the Board. 7. CORRESPONDENCE: November 5, 2013 e-mail from Robert J. Quinn Jr. to BOA Chairman Francis Golden et al, transmitting the draft minutes for the Board's July 9, 2013 meeting. November 18, 2013 e-mail from Robert J. Quinn Jr. to BOA Chairman Francis Golden et al, transmitting the draft minutes for the Board's October 15, 2013 meeting. November 21, 2013 e -mail from Joanne Fitzpatrick to BOA Chairman Francis Golden et a1, containing a time sensitive request relative to the latest Motor Vehicle Excise Tax commitment; bills to be mailed on December 3rd. December 11, 2013 Notification of Preliminary Certification from Joanne M. Graziano, Chief Bureau of Local Assessment, addressed to the Reading Board of Assessors. December 13, 2013 Notification of Certification from Joanne M. Graziano, Chief Bureau of Local Assessment, addressed to the Reading Board of Assessors. FY 2014 classification presentation prepared by Victor Santaniello, dated December 17, 2011 S. NEXT MEETING: The primary purpose of the Board's next meeting will be to review FY 2014 Tax Abatement Applications. This meeting will likely be held in February, with the exact date to be determined later. ADJOURNMENT: A motion by McGrane, seconded by Quinn to adjourn at 9:15 PM was approved by a vote of 2- 0-0.