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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-12-21 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting December 21, 2010 For ease of archiving, the order that items appear in these Minutes reflects the order in which the items appeared on the agenda for that meeting, and are not necessarily the order in which any item was taken up by the Board. The.meeting convened at 7:00 p.m. in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, 16 Lowell Street, Reading, Massachusetts. Present were Chairman James Bonazoli, Vice Chairman.Camille Anthony, Secretary Richard Schubert, Selectmen Stephen Goldy and Ben Tafoya, Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner, Assistant Town Manager/Finance Director Bob LeLacheur, Office Manager Paula Schena and the following list of interested parties: Ken Rossetti, Fred McGrane,Ralph Colorusso, Stephen Crook, Pat Sullivan, Bob Nordstrand, William Boatwright, Dave Mancuso. Discussion/Action Items Continued Hearing—FY 2011 Tax Classification—Board of Assessor Members Bob Nordstrand, Ralph Colorusso and Fred McGrane, Assessor Bill Boatwright and Assistant Assessor Pat Sullivan were present. The Town Manager noted that this is a continued hearing because we didn't have the State certification but we have it now. Bill Boatwright handed out a chart that showed the shift and corresponding tax rate. Mr. Boatwright noted that the Open Space exempts up to 25% of land defined as Open Space. The Residential Exemption is for towns with a high percentage of seasonal or rental units. There are 47 properties in Reading that are eligible for the small commercial exemption. Residential is 90% of the tax base. With a uniform tax rate of $13.78, a shift of 1.50 equals $20.69 for Commercial Industrial Personal (C.I.P.) Selectman Ben Tafoya noted that the average residential increased 2.50% and the commercial increased 18.52% - what makes 2.50%? Mr. Boatwright noted that they used the income approach to value the commercial properties. Last year, the Town used the cost approach. He also noted that the values were not captured in previous years. Bob Nordstrand noted that the tax levy cannot go up more than 2.50% but the total value can. Selectman Richard Schubert asked for clarification of the revaluation increase in value for the commercial properties. Mr. Boatwright noted that the number of residential sales per year are easy to track but commercial properties have fewer sales and differ widely. He also noted that the information requested and received this year was much better than previous years. Selectman Schubert summed up that the expensive highly valuable properties were skewing the average. The owner of 494 Main Street asked about assessments of commercial properties, and what is the benefit to improve property if it means you are going to pay more taxes. Mr. Boatwright noted that the Downtown core is going through a beautification with improved conditions and the Board of Selectmen Meeting—December 21, 2010—Page 2 income approached was emphasized. Selectman Richard Schubert noted that improving property adds to the value —the business is worth more when it is sold this should not be a disincentive to improve property. Ken Rosetti, representative of the Reading/North Reading Chamber of Commerce, noted that the Chamber of Commerce urges the Board of Selectmen to adopt a uniform rate of 1 as in.the past. He also noted that because of demographics, any shift to make commercial owners pay a higher rate will hurt. The increases will be passed onto the customers resulting in an increase in fees in services. He stated that the increase in taxes usually gets passed onto the tenants. He noted that commercial property owners have to pay for their own trash collection and they don't use the schools. He requested that the Selectmen maintain a uniform rate of 1. Dave Mancuso noted that the average home is selling for approximately $25,000 less now than six months ago. Selectman Ben Tafoya noted that based on this being a reassessment year, he'll forego his usual amendment. He also noted that last year, the debt exclusion came off the tax bill. He'll wait and see how values are displayed next year. He stated that additional slides showing the historical change in the total levy would be helpfiil next year. Selectman Richard Schubert thanked the Board of Assessors .for the exceptional data. He indicated that it would be helpful to get more,data ahead of time to get a sense of what the split rate would look like. Chairman James Bonazoli challenged the Chamber of.Commerce to advertise the,flat tax rate, and asked that the benefit and value be promoted. Mr. Rosetti noted that information is already on their website and they do promote that. Vice Chairman Camille Anthony noted that she is surprised that so many properties could take advantage of the commercial exemption. She would like to focus on commercial next year. A motion by Goldy seconded by Tafoya to close the hearing setting the tax rate for Fiscal Year 2011 was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. A motion by Goldy seconded by Tafoya to not grant an open space discount for Fiscal Year 2011 was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. A motion by Goldy seconded by Tafoya to not adopt a residential exemption for Fiscal Year 2011 was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. A motion by Goldy seconded by Schubert to adopt a residential factor.of 1 for Fiscal Year 2011 was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. A motion by Goldy seconded by Tafoya to not grant a commercial exemption for Fiscal Year 2011 was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Board of Selectmen Meeting-December 21, 2010–Page 3 Confirm the Language of the Home Rule Petition– Additional Package Store Liquor License – The Town Manager noted that the Town approved a Home Rule Petition for an additional liquor license and it has gone to the legislators. He met- With Representative Brad Jones and R.epresentative Spelliotis. They want the liquor license designated to a person and. specific location so there is a redrafted Bill that is specific to Oaktree Development, LLC at 30 Haven Street. Selectman Richard Schubert asked if ownership changes hands, could the Board issue to a new . owner at that location. The Town Manager noted that they could - it just can't be transferred to a different address. He also noted that this is the way additional liquor licenses are issued now. A motion by Goldy seconded by Tafoyato accept the amended language to the Home Rule Petition to grant one additional license for the Sale of All Alcohol Beverages not .to be Drunk on the Premises to Oaktree Development, LLC located at 30 Haven Street was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. A motion by Anthony seconded by Schubert to adjourn the meeting of December. 21, 2010 at 8:30 p.m. was approved by a vote of 5-0-0. Respectfully submitted, Secretary