2014-11-20-AC-min - Laserfiche WebLink

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11/20/14 Minutes There was concern expressed about the impact on the taxpayer if funding for modular units is requested this spring, followed by requests for additional funding to replace and/or expand schools. Ms.Garberg commented that this is likely to “chip away at the taxpayer’s patience.” Ms. Colburn commented that there are currently 29 students in some elementary school classrooms, which demonstrates the current overcrowding at those schools. Parents accept the need for eventual redistricting, but to use redistricting at this time to address the current large classes does not make sense if redistricting is going to be necessary again when a long term solution is implemented. This would be more than is reasonable if families are impacted twice by redistricting. Leasing modular units on an immediate basis is a logical approach to addressing the current overcrowding that exists in some schools. Residential Tax Exemptions: 2.Mr. Parker and Mr. Radulescu-Banureported that the Department of Revenuerequires towns to conduct a comprehensive comparison of property values every three years basedon sales; this data is to beusedin assessing property taxes. The analysis that was recently completed shows that the values of low-priced housing haveincreased considerably more than the values of high-priced housing. The result is that owners of low-valued residential real estate will generally see large increases in their values and their tax bills. Furthermore,all of the Fiscal Year (FY) 2015 tax increase will be reflected in the last two of the four bills for the fiscal year because the changes were only recently identified. Thus, the increase will feel even greater than it wouldhaveif it had beendistributed over four bills. Nothing can be done to remediate the impact on the FY2015 increase. The Board of Selectmen (BoS) has an option to mitigate the impactstarting in FY2016by adopting a residential exemption program. In 2006, the Tax Deferral and Exemption Study Group reported to the BoS what the implications of a residential exemption would be, andthe conclusions of that report are likely to be applicable today as well. The program results in charging owners of high-valuedhousing at a higher rate than owners of low-valuedhousing. Such a program requiresannual approval by the BoS. It is expected that this option will be discussed at the next BoS meeting. Mr.Michelson commented that he has two outstanding questions: whether high-valuedhousing is being assessed at its full maket value and whether renovations of high-valuedandlow-valuedhousing are being fully captured in the analysis. Mr. Michelson also noted that theassessedvalue of land is the same, regardless of the type of housingthat is built on it, which means the land value can increase at a higher rate than the house; this creates an imbalance for theownersof lower valued homes. Minutes: 3.A motion was made and seconded to approve the September 23, 2014 Minutes with Mr. Bartenstein's edits, as previously distributed. The motion was approved. VOTE: 9-0 The September 18, 2014 Minutes still need to be approved. Liaison Reports: 4.Mr. Addelson updated this Committee on the operation of the Visitors' Center. The Town assumed responsibilty for the facility and its gift shop on September22, 2014. Staff that had been operating the facility for the Chamber of Commercewas retained and Melisa Tintocalis, the Town's Economic Development Director, is overseeing its operation. Anecdotally, business is good. The Town restocked the merchandise because this had not been done for five to six months prior. The Town's long-term role has not been determined. 2