1990-09-BOS-min - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

20 Mr. Leone noted the decline in real estate values since the last revaluation in 1989, which will result in a s i g n i f i c a n t increase in abatement requests if values are not adjusted, and a substantial deficit in the FY91 overlay of $400,000. The Nov. '90 bills wou i d be for the same amount as the final bills of FY90 , with the increase in tax rate reflected totally in the f i n a l FY91 bill, after adjustment of values. Mr, Leone said that commercial and industrial property p resent a serious problem since those valuations are based on income v a l u a t i o n , which has declined due to the f i n a n c i a l situation in Massachusetts, He saw many applications from commercial property owners for abatements who will face even larger percentages of increase than residential. The Assessors were thanked for their input on the preliminary tax bill process and the newspaper reporter asked for publication of information to h e l p residents to understand it. SCATTERED SITE HOUSING, PARK DRIVE wALTHAM STREET Residents of Forest Street met with the Board to express their concerns about the location of a driveway for a house being constructed on the corner of Waltham Street and Park Drive as part of the Town's scattered site affordable housing program. A site p l a n of the lot, showing the placement of the house bu - 4 not the driveway, was distributed. A drive from Park Drive, a: unaccepted access road to the Senior High School, had been p roposea mom since it fit w e l l on the lot and would be safer for the tenants than exiting onto Waltham Street. Such an access would be allowed without a Special Permit, only if a second driveway to Waltham Street is provided. Mr. McSweeney pointed out the efforts being made to keep the house affordable and f e l t that an extra driveway was an unnecessary expense. Mr. and Mrs. Rutishauser, residents of the opposite Park Drive /Forest Street lot, opposed the Park Drive access and asked that the road continue its use as parkland, The Rutishausers had p r e v i o u s l y been denied access from Park Drive and they claimed that there was no legal basis for making an exception on the r u l i n g for the new house. Mrs. Smith e x p l a i n e d that since the lot is not privately owned and the Town owns both the lot and Park Drive, this project can be laid out at the Town's discretion in whatever way is considered to be in the best interest of all concerned. Mrs. Rutishauser pointed out that the status of the property could be changed if, i n the future the Town should decide to sell the house. Mr. Dailey felt that having two driveways on the small lot would be unattractive and a waste of money and recommended that if the Board of Appeals /Special Permit process is followed, a condition be imposed stating that the Park Drive access would remain o n l y as long as the house is in Town ownership. `'r