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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-03-22-REPSC-minResidential Exemption Policy Study Committee (Ad Hoc) Friday, March 22, 2019 Hudson Room, Cary Memorial Building Meeting Minutes Attendance: Mark Andersen Chair; Sara Bothwell Allen, Vicki Blier, Howard Cloth, Katie Cutler, Thomas Whelan, John Zhao and Board of Selectman Liaison Joe Pato; Guest Robert Pressman, James Mars Mr. Andersen called the meeting to order at 8:02am. Mr. Zhao volunteered to record the meeting minutes Public comments Mr. Pressman commented the executive summary in the committee's draft report was inadequate and suggested to briefly explain how residential exception works and follow up with committee's findings and conclusion. Mr. Pressman also recommended to add links in the executive summary section to the details in the report. Approve prior meeting minutes Ms. Cutler commented she made changes to the final minutes for 2/8 to reflect the committee members feedback. And the committee voted and approve the meeting minutes Review final draft report The committee members discussed Mr. Pressman's feedback. Mr. Andersen commented the committee had not yet reached the full conclusions and the change would make the executive summary section much longer. Mr. Andersen asked Mr. Pato whether Board of Selectmen would be ok with a longer executive summary section. Mr. Pato commented that additional details in the section could be helpful. Ms. Blier commented that we could add indices, so it would be easy to follow. The Committee discussed and revised the eight recommendations to the Board of Selectmen in the report, and then voted the recommendations one by one. The revised recommendations and voting results are listed as below. Local Tax Policy: 1. Do not adopt the Massachusetts Residential Exemption. [The committee voted 7:0 to support this recommendation.] 2. Develop for community consideration a proposal for a means -tested or age -based residential exemption. [The committee voted 7:0 to support this recommendation.] 3. Promote awareness of existing programs such as tax deferrals, exemptions, and the Massachusetts Senior Circuit Breaker Property Tax Credit. [The committee voted 7:0 to support this recommendation.] 4. Evaluate increasing eligibility thresholds significantly for the Lexington Tax Deferral Program. [The committee voted 7:0 to support this recommendation.] State Advocacy: 5. Advocate for expanded access to tax deferrals for homeowners with existing or future mortgages and home equity loans. [The committee voted 7:0 to support this recommendation.] 6. Advocate for expanded access to the state administered Senior Circuit Breaker Property Tax Credit for surviving spouses and those with homes above the current eligibility threshold, as well as expanding the level of rebate. [The committee voted 7:0 to support this recommendation.] Further Study: 7. Further study the financial needs and supports necessary for Lexington's population of older (80+) seniors to "age in place". [The committee voted 7:0 to support this recommendation.] 8. Further study methods to retain middle-aged residents who have the highest rate of forecast outmigration. [The committee voted 7:0 to support this recommendation.] The committee decided to meet on 4/5 to review the updated draft report. Mr. Andersen adjourned the meeting at 9:38am. Respectfully submitted by John Zhao, acting secretary.