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Minutes
Town of Lexington Appropriation Committee
March 22, 2011
Place and time: Town Office Building, Room 111
Members present: Glenn Parker, Chair; John Bartenstein, Vice Chair and Secretary; Joe
Pato, Vice Chair; Robert Cohen; Mollie Garberg; Alan Levine; Eric Michelson; Rob
Addelson (non-voting, ex-officio)
Other attendees: Deb Mauger, Selectman; Patrick Mehr;Barry Orenstein
The meeting was called to order at 7:35 p.m.
Article 37 -Commercial Assessments
1.. The Committee discussed recent
communications from DOR and how the DOR might act on this resolution. Although
members of the Committee weresympathetic to the proponent’s request to seek
clarification regarding regulations, there was also agreement that the DOR’s position is
important as it very likely would impact the effectiveness of any request moving forward.
Mr. Levine suggested that it is important that other departments, especially the Board of
Assessors and Assessing Office, understand the issues and that it would be beneficial to
involve them in a process. Therefore, sending a request to the DOR at this time is
premature. Mr. Pato asked Mr. Mehr if he would be open to an amendment to refer the
resolution to the Appropriation Committee. Mr. Mehr said that he would beopen to a
substitute motion even if it means further investigation over the course of the next year, but
does not want it to be subject only to evaluation by the Board of Assessors. Heexpressed
his opinion that the position set forth in the DOR letter is circular and that it does not
adequately address the issues. Mr. Michelsoncommented thatthe Assessor's office
should not be asked to address these issuesbecause itsjob is to stay within the guidelines
set out by the DOR. The Committee agreed the Assessor’s officecould be used as a
resource to gain historical information and to understand assessment methodologies. The
Committee then discussed whether it is practical for it to be deeply involved in the process
to analyze the issues. Mr. Parker suggested the Committee does not have the skill set or
resources to spearhead an evaluation at this time. Ms.Mauger advisedthat the BOS has
not taken a position on this article yet. There were no changes to the most recent vote on
this article.
Final Report.
2.A motion was made and seconded to approve the final draft of the
Appropriation Committee report circulated by Mr. Parker, subject to a few minor changes.
Vote: Approved 7-0-0.
The meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m.
A list of documents and exhibits used at the meeting is attached.
Respectfully submitted,
Andrea Yepez
Recording Secretary
Approved April 6, 2011
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Exhibits
Town of Lexington Appropriation Committee
March 22, 2011
3.Agenda posted by Glenn Parker, Chair.
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