HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-11-08-TDES-min RECEIVED
d 2 3 0 J u in, 3 d
TOWN CLERK
LEXINGTON MA
Minutes of the Selectmen's Tax Deferral and Exemption Study Committee
November 8, 2007
4:00 PM at the Town Offices
Attending:
Vicki Blier
Norm Cohen
John Bartenstein
Joel Adler
Pat Costello
Tom Taylor
Rob Addelson
The purpose of the meeting was to finalize our report to the Selectmen on the water and sewer
discount program for residents in financial need. We had decided that qualification for this
program would be tied to qualification for fuel assistance under the state's LIHEAP program.
The plight of a divorced mother of two came to Vicki's attention and caused her to wonder if the
benefit we proposed is too low to help people in serious financial straits. There was discussion of
tying the benefit to other programs which have higher income cutoffs, but this will require
setting up a mechanism for qualifying people, creating a new burden for town employees.
It was suggested that we stick with the original proposal but let the Social Service Department
grant discounts to people who don't qualify for LIHEAP but have financial needs caused by
extraordinary and/or temporary circumstances. The problem here is defining these
circumstances.
It was pointed out that the discount program is a modest benefit that can't be expected to solve
resident's serious financial problems, most of which relate to the high price of housing in
Lexington, not water bills. It was also pointed out that the Fund for Lexington is available for
short term help in the most serious situations.
It was decided that we would stick with what we had already decided, complete the draft report
with the missing figures, and submit it to the Selectmen.
Tom Taylor 11/10/07