HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-03-16-REPSC-min Residential Exemption Policy Study Committee (Ad Hoc)
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Minutes of Meeting
Friday, March 16, 2018
Hudson Room, Cary Memorial Building
Attendance
Mark Andersen, Chair; Vicki Blier; Howard Cloth; Katie Cutler; Thomas Whelan; John
Zhao; Joe Pato, Selectman Liaison. All members were present, except Charles
Mabardy, and no members of the public attended.
Mr. Andersen called the meeting to order at 8:32.am.
Mr. Pato announced that Charles Mabardy has indicated he would be resigning from
the committee on account of other obligations but as of the date of this meeting, his
letter of resignation had not been received.
Approval of Minutes
The minutes of the March 2, 2018 meeting were reviewed and, after minor
clarifications, approved as corrected.
Review of Guiding Principles
The Residential Exemption Committee Guiding Principles, a draft of which had initially
been presented to the Committee at the March 2nd meeting, were reviewed and
discussed. Of particular interest were the aspects of fairness', objectivity',
'inclusiveness of potential outcomes' and whether and how to appropriately state the
best case scenario' vs alternatives' as we contribute to the shared work product (the
Report).
It was suggested the fairness' aspect might best be addressed initially at our next
meeting as part of a presentation on the Societal Impact a residential exemption may
have on the Town and its residents. Also discussed was whether supporting data re
this aspect might be collected via a phone survey.
Mechanics (Mathematical)
Mr. Zhao presented a report on the mathematics employed in the formulation of the
Residential Exemption, the Break-Even Point and the Tax Impact. A copy of the report
will be separately filed with these minutes. His presentation and the ensuing
discussion focused on several elements:
• That the Committee's final report be articulated in a fashion that is readily
understood - i.e., 'readable' - by the typical taxpayer;
• That current (FY 2017) data - both census and Town records - be employed to
the extent possible;
• That the approach we take be systemic' so that when and if adjustments are
needed they can be effected with ease;
• That the Report include both a historical and prospective perspective to enable
taxpayers, who might otherwise believe they have 'ono stake" in the process, to
identify how past trends have developed and to project possible outcomes;
• That support - e.g., 'person-power' - is needed to more accurately define the
classification of"owner/occupied resident";
• That, since transparency' is paramount,
o we need to better define just what we mean by this term
o ultimately, it would be desirable to design an explanatory 'stuffer' to
accompany the tax bills mailed to residents that would clarify all major
issues (e.g., the issue of"timing" as it applies to ownership changes)
Glossary
Ms. Blier presented a draft Glossary of Terms for use both by the Committee and
ultimately for inclusion in the Report. A copy of the Glossary will be separately filed
with these minutes. It was agreed this is a work-in-process'.
A discussion followed regarding the Committee's Work Plan and agendas for future
meetings. Topics discussed included:
• a proposed table of contents
• experts, skills and expertise we might want to invite/provide for future
meetings
• timing of public sessions
The next meeting of the Residential Exemption Policy Study Committee (Ad Hoc) is
scheduled for Friday, March 30, 2018 at 8:30 am and will include a presentation of
the Societal Impact as a potential outcome of the adoption of a Residential
Exemption.
The meeting was adjourned by Mr. Andersen on behalf of the Committee at 9:58 am.
Respectfully submitted,
Howard Cloth, acting Secretary