2011-03-14-AC-min - Laserfiche WebLink

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March 14, 2011 prices of 13% of larger homes (worth $1.5 million and up) exceeded their assessed values by 10% to 30%whereas the prices of generally all smaller homes exceeded their assessed values by only 5% to 10%. He concludes that 40% of larger houses were under-assessed in 2007 and that 13% are currently under-assessed. There was general discussion of abatement rules, process, and statistics. Mr. Nugent said that annual residential abatement requests have diminished over time, that now there are about 140 per year, and that there are about 30 commercial abatement applications per year. Mr. Cohen pointed out that recently 1 in 3 homes in Lexington traded at over $1m. Mr. Nugent explained the system for checks and balances that assessments have to meet in the annual analysis,including the restriction that they not be complicated by time adjustments over more than one year. The analysis has to stand up in tests by DOR. Mr. Michelson moved to recommend support of this Article. Mr. Cohen seconded the motion. Mr. Levine and Ms. Garberg stated they felt the broadly worded nature of the motion is preferable to a more specific request and gives latitude to the DOR. Vote: Approved 8-0-1. Update on PCB Mitigation Spending (Pat Goddard) 4..Mr. Goddard distributed financial spreadsheets that summarize spending on PCB mitigation at Estabrook School. The spending wasfunded through the Public Facilities Dept. budget and included a total of $400,000 that was transferred to that budget from the Reserve Fund in August and September of 2010. The overall expenditures for PCB work areprojected to come in about $41k less than allotted for the year. Mr. Goddard informed the Committee that a sample from Bridge School tested positive for PCBs. Other testing indicates that any PCB contamination at Bridge must be much less extensive than that at Estabrook. Funds are needed to manage the limited effort involved with the contamination that was found. Therefore Mr. Goddard proposes to reallocate funds from the unused balance for the Estabrook remediation project for use at Bridge and Bowman. The Committee discussed the prior transfer from the Reserve Fund to Facilities and whether the funds may be used for work other than PCB remediation at Estabrook. Mr. Niemy will inform Mr. Addelson that the Committee supports this reallocation of funds and a formal motion can be made at a future meeting if necessary. Mr. Goddard left a copy of an Environmental Health & Engineering (EH&E) proposal to provide PCB Air Bulk Sampling at the Bridge School with the Committee. Reserve Fund Transfer to Human Services Budget for Veteran's Assistance 5. (Micah Niemy). Mr. Niemy reviewed a request for $20k to support the growing demand from veterans living in Lexington for assistance as provided under applicable State laws. This amount was set to cover any expenses in excess of the FY 2011 appropriationof $25K that may be needed through about May 4, 2011. As of March 18, $34k had been spent or obligated for veteran’s assistance. An appropriation to cover additional expenses may be sought at Town Meeting under Article 24, but that would likely not be effective until the May 4 date. Mr. Niemy distributed a memorandum from Charlotte Rodgers, Director of Human Services, regarding Veterans Services Officer (VSO) background and recommendations, which indicates an upward trend in the hours for the VSO to serve the increased number of individuals seeking assistance in this regard. Mr. Michelson confirmed the Reserve Fund balance is $500k. Mr. Neumeier 2