HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-01-11-RESPC-minResidential Exemption Policy Committee (Ad hoc)
Friday, January 11, 2019
Hudson Room, Cary Memorial Building
Attendance: Mark Andersen (chair), Vicki Blier, Sara Bothwell Allen, Howard Cloth, Thomas Whelan,
John Zhao, Joe Pato (Selectman liaison, attended only the start of the meeting),
Absent: Katie Cutler.
Resident observer: Robert Pressman
Mr. Andersen called the meeting to order at 8:03 am.
Mr. Whelan agreed to serve as acting secretary.
Review of Minutes:
Mr. Pressman corrected the reference to Bob Creech in the 12/14/18 minutes. Mr. Whelan asked about
the reference to "testimony from the extra -elderly." The minutes were approved with minor changes.
The Committee reviewed the minutes of the 1/4/19 meeting which were approved.
Mr. Pato expressed the Board of Selectmen's gratitude for the Committee's work. The Board is
interested in the Means Tested proposals and indicated that it was too soon to present the findings and
recommendations to the Town Meeting.
Mr. Andersen reviewed his meeting with the Board of Selectman on 1/7/19. The Committee needs to
finish our report and have a summit meeting with the Board (estimated two hours). The Board will then
lay out a strategy and either extend this committee or establish a new committee.
Mr. Pato indicated that the Board will then hold a public hearing to discuss proposals.
Mr. Andersen noted that The Committee has a lot to do, but the goal is a thorough report, not a rush
job. Each Committee member will have the opportunity to review all sections of the final report.
Mr. Cloth spoke about the property tax memo he had emailed outlining programs in other states that
freeze property taxes, based on the property owner's age. Mr. Cloth also noted that some banks don't
want to give up their #1 position on mortgages when a mortgage holder takes advantage of the
Massachusetts property tax deferral program.
Mr. Andersen provided sections of the draft of the final report for review by Committee members.
Mr. Pressman asked how many properties are rented? And suggested that we add these numbers to our
charts.
Mr. Zhao noted that some sections of the draft report are too detailed to be reviewed at a Committee
meeting.
Mr. Andersen and Ms. Bothwell Allen began a discussion of charts in body of the report versus in the
appendix. Ms. Bothwell Allen felt charts should remain in the appendix and that those considered
relevant could be copied into the report, but the appendix should be left as it stands. A discussion
followed and it was noted that duplicate charts in the body and appendix are fine for key points.
Ms. Blier, based on a discussion with Rob Lent, noted the following real estate classifications considered:
Nursing Homes considered Business Property
Memory Care considered Residential Property
Assisted Living considered Residential Property
Mr. Zhao is reviewing the section entitled "Direction of the Report"
Mr. Whelan reviewed the section entitled "Introduction #2."
The next meeting of the Committee will be Friday, 1/25/19 at Sam.
Meeting adjourned at 9:30 am
Minutes respectfully submitted by Thomas Whelan, acting secretary