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Minutes for the Meeting of July 23, 2008 Page 3 <br /> <br />spaces are we willing to take on Hartwell? Traffic demand is roughly comparable to the number of <br />spaces. Development will significantly increase traffic and we should work to mitigate that additional <br />traffic. <br /> <br />Ms. Manz asked from what point do we start - tax revenue, number of cars, trip generation - what would <br />be the determining factors? Mr. Zurlo said the Board would need a benchmark to begin setting goals and <br />the rest would follow. Revenue goals would be achieved by additional square feet, which will determine <br />the number of automobiles and parking spaces. Mr. Zurlo stated money should be the starting point unless <br />a compelling alternate was presented. A letter should be sent to the Board of Selectmen asking for input. <br /> <br />Mr. Hornig said he never heard at Town Meeting that there must be a certain minimum of revenue, but <br />there would be a maximum of traffic impacts the Town would be willing to accept. <br /> <br />Mr. Galaitsis said that the increased development at Hartwell is being considered because the percent <br />residential tax burden has increased over time, and a solution is needed now to increase commercial <br />revenue in order to restore the balance between residential and commercial tax. Some guidance should be <br />requested from the Board of Selectmen to determine what amount would be a desirable figure and use <br />that as a starting point. <br /> <br />Mr. Hornig said the only sensible thing to do was use percentage goals on residential taxes versus <br />commercial taxes. Mr. Henry spoke with the commercial appraiser Rob Lent in the Assessor’s Office and <br />asked for data on Hartwell Avenue on what the area is generating now and the trend. Mr. Zurlo said he <br />would like a presentation on the split and a benchmark from the Board of Selectmen on shared goals. <br /> <br />Ms. McCall-Taylor said we already went to the Board of Selectmen and they didn’t give any response. <br />Perhaps the Board should offer them three alternatives. <br /> <br />Mr. Hornig said 33% was the high end, but was there information from the Board of Selectmen that <br />would help the Board go forward? <br /> <br />Mr. Zurlo said there would be benefit setting parameters first and submit to the Selectmen. Having a joint <br />goal with the Board of Selectmen and their support would be helpful. <br /> <br />Ms. Manz said to write a letter to the Board of Selectmen sharing some of the projections the Board <br /> <br />