2018-01-29 BOS-min - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

71-170 Selectmen's Meeting January 29, 2018 A meeting of the Lexington Board of Selectmen was called back to order at 7:05 p.m. on Monday, January 29, 2018 in the Selectmen's Meeting Room of the Town Office Building, following a Joint Executive Session with the School Committee and 15-minute recess. Ms. Barry, Chair; Mr. Pato; Ms. Ciccolo; and Mr. Lucente were present as well as Mr. Valente, Town Manager; and Ms. Siebert, Recording Secretary. Public Comment Steve McKenna, 9 Hancock Street, spoke about the increasing number of bike sharrows bike path, and other signs that he feels are a blight on the visual landscape of the Historic District. Mr. McKenna said, at the direction of the Town Clerk's office, he left two messages for staff who have not returned his calls; he also contacted four out of five Selectmen on this matter but received no reply. Selectmen Concerns and Liaison Reports Mr. Lucente asked for a future update on when the Maple Street/Pleasant Street traffic lights will be turned on. Town Managers Report Mr. Valente replied to questions the Board has received from property owners who report their 3rd quarter property tax increases are larger than expected. Overall, values had been expected to increase 5% over the preliminary Pt and 2nd quarter bills. The increase is market-driven and based on real estate sales in town. Additionally, the Assessors department worked closely with the Department of Revenue to closely examine Lexington's property values. Depending on the type of house, there were wide fluctuations in value with a 1%-9% range of increases across various styles of single family homes. Two- and three-family homes increased in assessed value 20%-21%. If property owners believe their valuations to be in error, Mr. Valente encouraged them to file an abatement by February 1, 2018. To understand valuations, homeowners should: • Look at the property record to make sure data is correct; • Look at comparable home values; • Look at 2016 sales of comparable homes. The property valuation database can be accessed at the Assessors' office and at the Cary Memorial Library. Homes are listed by style and size. There were about 350 home sales in 2016 in Lexington, on which the new values are based. ATM 2018 Warrant Article Update—Amend Zoning BylawMarrett Road/Springs Street CN and CS District—Citizen's Article Charles Minasian, 3 Fulton Road, owner of 5 parcels of a 7-parcel cluster occupying both sides