HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004-02-12-TDES-min RECEIVED
2023 03 Juin, Z54, Ipirri
TOWN CLERK
LEXINGTON MA
Summary
12/20/04
Discussion of Property Tax Relief Issues in Lexington
Attending:
John Bartenstein
Vicki Blier
Peter Enrich
Jay Kaufman
Patrick Mehr
Tom Taylor
1. Statewide legislation
• Hearings on pending legislation will not happen before April/May
• New DOR study may generate changes or alternative bills
• John has done some preliminary work on possible language to address
the exemption funding issue, treatment of overlay account
2. Home Rule Petition
• Principal candidate is 41A deferral eligibility and interest rate
• Both a simple petition mirroring a previously accepted special law on
41A deferrals (such as Wellesley's) AND a model petition addressing
broader issues can be pursued.
• Jay will advise on putting forth the HRPs
3. Goal for this Town Meeting
• Deferral the preferred vehicle for senior tax relief; recognizes
accumulated equity and competing municipal needs
• Exemptions at some level are also desirable; promote good will and
provide meaningful help to those of very constrained means.
• Consider adding 41D COLA and/or increasing 41C amount to $1,000;
must this be part of budget discussions, or will overlay handle it?
4. The problem of how to pay for exemptions
• Currently, 41C exemptions in excess of state reimbursement cap
($29,500) deplete available funds under Prop 2 1/2 cap
• Romney appears to support funding exemptions by redistribution
among town residents, subject to town-wide referendum vote
• Jay Kaufman, Peter Enrich, and John Bartenstein will talk to Harry
Grossman to discuss this. Jay will arrange meeting.
5. The Residential Exemption
• Residential exemption is controversial
• Within scope of committee's charge
• If and when selectmen request, committee should evaluate it.