HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-09-26-TDES-min Selectmen's Tax Deferral and Exemption (TD+E) Study Committee
Meeting Minutes
A meeting of the Tax Deferral and Exemption Committee was called to order at 6:30 PM on
September 24, 2019, in the Reed Room at the Lexington Town Office Building.
Members present were: Vicki Blier, Pat Costello, Dick Bair, Jane Current, Pam Joshi, and Select
Board member Joe Pato. Lexington resident Bob Pressman was present as an observer.
The purposes of the meeting:
1. Review and approve minutes from November 28, 2018 meeting.
2. Discuss the April 2019 report of the Residential Property Tax Exemption Policy Study
Committee
3. Discuss parameters to guide future recommendations for eligibility for Property Tax
Deferrals
4. Discuss potential promotional efforts for Property Tax Deferrals
5. Old Business.
Meeting Results:
1. Minutes of the November 2018 meeting were reviewed and unanimously approved for
posting.
2. Discussion of the April 2019 report by the Residential Property Tax Exemption Policy Study
Committee: TD+E members felt that report was thorough and contained excellent information
on current housing stock, property tax comparisons between Lexington and nearby jurisdictions,
and survey results from sample of residents on housing stress relative to household income.
The report noted many "unintended consequences" which could result from well-intentioned
adjustments to property tax bills based on income and assets.
3. Discussion on raising income limits on Property Tax Deferrals beyond $75K using a standard
adjustment factor each year: Pam Joshi and Vicki Blier will research available commonly used
metrics for tracking income that could be adopted and applied each year to automatically adjust
income threshold for Property Tax Deferrals. A related question in Lexington: what income
levels are mostly getting the deferrals currently?
4.Suggested promotional efforts to increase awareness of TD+E programs:
• inserts for property tax bills to be mailed in early 2020
• meeting with Council on Aging
The meeting adjourned at 8:30 PM.
Next Meeting: October 24, 2019 at 7:00 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Dick Bair
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