HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-01-05-TDES-min RECEIVED
2023 24 a , 2:12p
TOWN CLERK
LEXINGTON MA
Minutes
Tax Deferral and Exemption Study Committee
January 5, 2023 at 7:30 pm
A meeting by Zoom of the Tax Deferral and Exemption Committee was called to order at 7:34
PM on Thursday, January 5, 2023.
Members present were: Co-Chairs Vicki Blier and Pat Costello; Select Board member Mark
Sandeen,Jane Murphy, and Jane Current.
The purposes of the meeting:
1. Approve prior minutes
2. Introduce Jane Murphy, new committee member
3. Discuss possible warrant article to peg Lexington's Tax Deferral income qualification to
the Massachusetts Senior Circuit Breaker Tax Credit's annually published income limit for
Married, Filing Jointly.
4. Discuss updates to the Committee Charge
5. Discuss concerns of Committee members regarding tax deferrals and exemptions
Meeting Results:
1. Minutes of the January 23, 2020 meeting were reviewed and unanimously approved for
posting.
2. Jane Murphy, new committee member, was welcomed.
3. A possible warrant article to peg Lexington's Property Tax Deferral income qualification to
the Massachusetts Senior Circuit Breaker Tax Credit's annually published income limit for
Married, Filing Jointly, was discussed. There was consensus that this annually adjusted
number for income eligibility is appropriate since the Circuit Breaker limit is set by the state
based on cost-of-living, cost-of-housing and other fluctuating factors. Lexington's current
Tax Deferral income limit was based on the Senior Circuit Breaker Married, Filing Jointly
amount in 2021. Continuing this policy eliminates the need to go before Town Meeting each
time there is a need to increase the income limit.
To accomplish this change, the Committee seeks to...
a. Have motion language approved by Town Counsel.
b. Obtain authorization to put an article on the warrant
Two articles will be presented to the 2023 Annual Town Meeting:
a. To increase the qualifying income for Lexington's Property Tax Deferral program to
$96,000.
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b. To annually adjust the qualifying income for Lexington's Property Tax Deferral program
to the published income limit for the Massachusetts Senior Property Tax Circuit Breaker
Married, Filing Jointly.
4. Discuss updates to the Committee Charge
Vicki Blier presented proposed revisions to the Committee Charge. (The document
incorporating proposed changes is attached as an appendix.)
- For efficient operation, the Committee would define a quorum, change membership
terms from two to three years, and stagger member terms.
- Technical updates include substituting "Select Board" for"Board of Selectmen".
Discussion found the proposed changes appropriate and workable.
A motion to accept the proposed changes to the Committee Charge was made and passed
unanimously.
5. Discuss concerns of Committee members regarding tax deferrals and exemptions
- Activities in the Committee Charge have evolved positively since 2004—thanks
especially to the work of this committee and of Town staff.
- Town Meeting passage of the article to automatically adjust Tax Deferral income
eligibility would minimize one Committee responsibility.
- The Town Finance Department and Assessors monitor changes and opportunities in
Massachusetts deferral and exemption laws.
- Publicity and education about tax relief for Lexington seniors is now done regularly by the
Sean Dugan, Director of Communications.
It may be time for this Committee to dissolve.
The meeting adjourned at 8:20 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Jane Current
Minutes approved May 16, 2020
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