HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005-04-27-TDES-min RECEIVED
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TOWN CLERK
LEXINGTON MA
MINUTES OF MEETING OF SELECTMEN'S TAX DEFERRAL AND EXEMPTION
STUDY COMMITTEE
April 27, 2005 at 3:30 PM at the Town Offices
Present: Vicki Blier, Marilyn Campbell, Pat Costello, Bill Kennedy, John Bartenstein,
Norman Cohen and Tom Taylor.
Based on a questionnaire developed by the committee, towns and cities which have
adopted the Residential Exemption were questioned about their experience. The
following were contacted: Cambridge, Tisbury, Brookline, Waltham, Somerville,
Watertown, Chelsea, Nantucket, Somerset and Marlborough. Except for Somerset, all the
cities and towns contacted had a lot of either rental apartments or non-resident second
home owners. The motivation for adopting the RE was the desire to relieve the tax
burden on the resident homeowners. The RE did not appear to be controversial in most
places although there was dissatisfaction among non-resident owners in the second-home
communities. The RE was adopted in these communities more than ten years ago.
We then discussed how we proceed. There was general agreement that our report to the
Selectmen should be educative,present the pros and cons of adopting the RE and give a
recommendation. We talked about what further information we need to complete the task.
One thing we would like to know is whether there is any correlation between wealth and
property assessment: that is, are the people living in modest houses those with lower
incomes and assets. It was suggested that there is available census data on income that
might be helpful.
John suggested that a way uncover the issues is to have presentations to the committee by
a proponent of RE and an opponent. He agreed to talk to Patrick Mehr and try to find
someone to take the other side.
Pat thinks we need more information about Lexington. The Classification Package
prepared by the Assessor might provide some of that.
It was decided to talk to towns that have not adopted the RE to see if they have any
research which might be helpful to us. Vicki will make assignments.
Next meeting dates: May 12 at 3:OOPM and June 7 at 10:OOAM.
Tom Taylor