2010-10-13-AC-min - Laserfiche WebLink

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October 13, 2010 Possible Special Town Meeting. Glenn Parker reported that he had attended a meeting earlier in the day to discuss the possibility of holding a Special Town Meeting (STM) later in the fall. The impetus is to adjust the budget for the costs of the PCB remediation at Estabrook School (approximately $661,000 has been expended to date, of which $400,000 was covered by this committee's recent transfers from the Reserve Fund). If the meeting is to be held, an article addressing adjustments between salaries and benefits for the results of collective bargaining concessions made by unions would also be included. The consensus at the meeting was that it was preferable to catch up with the spending that has occurred to date and to replenish the Reserve Fund. The Selectmen will meet on October 20 to make a decision on whether to call a STM Rob Addelson indicated that the cost of a STM would be approximately $4,000 to $6,000. In addition to addressing the Estabrook School PCB costs and health benefit transfers, the warrant might also include articles for an adjustment to the water and sewer budget, some action to address the CPA revenue shortfall discussed in item 2 above, and potentially a bond issuance for future PCB remediation costs. The committee is neutral in its support of a Special Town Meeting. 4. Water and Sewer Rates. John Bartenstein reported that Town Manger Carl Valente presented a proposal for the FY2011 water and sewer rates at the last Board of Selectmen meeting held on October 24. The recommendation was for a 0.7% increase in sewer rates and a 3.7% increase in water rates, for a combined increase of 1.7 %. There will be a hearing at the BoS meeting on October 25, after which the rates will be set. 5. Assessment Issues. John Bartenstein and Joe Pato reported that they had attended a meeting of the Board of Assessors at which questions raised by Patrick Mehr on the TMMA list about the process for assessing commercial properties were addressed. In particular, the Board discussed the question whether the rezoning of a commercial property by Town Meeting to allow a higher density ipso facto results in a higher valuation that may be recognized by the Town as new growth, even before any construction has commenced. The Board of Assessors will be discussing the subject further at a meeting this Thursday, and also are considering making an updated presentation, similar to one made several years ago, to Town Meeting Members on the commercial assessment process. 6. Future Meetings. The committee will meet next on Wednesday, Oct 27 and on Wednesday, November 3. The meeting was adjourned at 9:43 p.m A list of documents and other exhibits used at the meeting is attached. Respectfully submitted, Susan McLeish Approved December 6, 2010 2