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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-09-07-RESPC-min Residential Exemption Policy Study Committee (Ad Hoc) Minutes Friday, September 7, 2018 Attending Members: Sara Bothwell Allen, Vicki Blier, Katie Cutler, Thomas Whelan, John Zhao, Joe Pato Observer: Bob Pressman The meeting was called to order at 8:05 by Ms. Bothwell Allen. Ms. Bothwell Allen was elected as the acting chair in Mark Andersen's absence. Public Comments A note was read that had been submitted by Keith Whitman, a Lexington resident. He wished us to know that he knew of a single family residence in Lexington that was occupied by two families. He also indicated that he had heard that Asian and Chinese people on the West Coast were buying properties there with cash and that "It is a problem." Mr. Pressman submitted information that he had compiled from the Assessor's Data Base that has relevance to the effect of a Residential Exemption on condo owners for the 188 condo units at three condo complexes including Drummer Boy [42], Minuteman/April Lane [46], and Potter Pond [100]. Based upon the addresses of the owner[s] listed, 15 units were identified as not owner occupied, 4 at Drummer Boy and 11 at Minuteman/April Lane. Of the remaining 173 units, 169 have 2018 assessments in the 600,000's or lower. The remaining four units have the following assessments: at April Lane, a large unit with an assessment of 893,000 and at Potter Pond units with assessments of 717,000, 718,000, and 747,000. At Drummer Boy, the 38 units have assessments in the 500,000's or lower. In brief, all 173 of the units have assessments below the hypothetical break-even lines utilized in the preliminary report to the Board of Selectmen and the preliminary document of this Committee. Mr. Pressman opined that he had not heard during Committee meetings data relating this pattern to need. Prior Meeting Minutes Mr. Zhao distributed the 8/17 draft meeting minutes and they were unanimously approved. Residential Survey Ms. Bothwell Allen distributed the proposed survey questions. The committee voted to approve the survey questions with two changes. An additional property- value-choice will be added between two of the current options of$1 M and $1.25M, and an additional question asking "Do your retirement plans include selling your house and leaving Lexington?" will be added. Distribution of the survey was discussed. Mr. Pato stated that the survey could be sent via the Town's general email list. Other groups were suggested including CAAL and CALEX, Lexington Friends, Indian Americans of Lexington, Lex Fun, The Battle Road, Lexington Mavens, the Council on Aging, the South Lexington Civic Association and the Meriam Hill Association. A concern was discussed that identifying our committee as the inquiring author of the survey might skew the results. The preference was expressed that the survey should come from the Town without anything to indicate that property tax policy was behind the questions. All were in informal agreement, but the exact way of identifying the authorship of the survey was not determined. Senior Means-Tested Property Tax Exemption Ms. Blier distributed and reviewed a summary of currently adopted MA Means-Tested Exemptions in Wayland, Concord, Sudbury, Hopkinton and Reading. She discussed the Wayland law which has been superseded by a State statute: G.L.59 ch.59 section 5. CL3, which allows municipalities to use funds from their Overlay Account to match the beneficiary's State Circuit Breaker benefit. For Lexington, there are likely 400+ people qualified. If the average benefit is $1 K, $400K may need to come out of the Overlay Account, which is funded within the Levy Limit. Whether this level cost to the Town is feasible would have to be determined by the town finance department. Ms. Cutler asked whether exemption has a residency requirement. Ms. Blier said yes, typically 10 yrs. Economist and Housing Policy Panel Ms. Blier has not yet engaged participants for the panel and indicated that she would like to proffer dates when she speaks with them. Ms. Bothwell Allen suggested and all informally agreed that October is the most realistic month for the panel. Mr. Zhao indicated that he will provide any demographic or other data analysis that the economists might request. He would need a few weeks' notice to prepare it. Ms. Blier agreed to create a Doodle Poll for Thursdays and Fridays in October. Second Public Hearing After discussion, it was voted to hold the public hearing during the first week in December. Mr Pato indicated that November would be very busy with Special Town Meeting hearings and activities. Ms. Cutler suggested that we should try to have the survey done with analysis prior to the hearing. There was an inconclusive discussion about how to educate Public Hearing attendees so that their testimony could be well-informed. Proposed questions for the panelists were reviewed. Next Agenda Proposed topics for the next meeting included further discussion of the public hearing, goal- setting, and further discussion of the Senior Means Tested Property Tax Exemption for Lexington. Final Report Ms. Bothwell Allen asked Mr. Pato about the expected date of the final report. Mr. Pato indicated that it could be January or February 2019. Respectfully submitted by Vicki Blier who would like to thank John Zhao for his assistance in note-taking.