Date: November 20, 2006
Date Minutes Approved: December 4, 2006
BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES
Present: Elizabeth Sullivan, Chair; Andre Martecchini, Vice-Chair, and John Tuffy, Clerk.
Absent: No members were absent.
Staff: Richard MacDonald, Town Manager; and Barbara Ripley, Executive Assistant.
The meeting was called to order at 6:52 PM.
VOTE TO ENTER EXECUTIVE SESSION
At 6:52 PM, Ms. Sullivan moved that the Board enter Executive Session to discuss strategy with regard to litigation, and to re-convene in Open Session immediately afterward, in accordance with M.G.L. Chapter 39, Section 23B. Second by Mr. Martecchini. Roll Call Vote: Mr. Martecchini---aye; Mr. Tuffy---aye; and Ms. Sullivan---aye.
RE-CONVENE IN OPEN SESSION
The Open Session was re-convened at 7:37 PM.
OPEN FORUM
No items were discussed.
PRESENTATION OF AMERICAN FLAG FLOWN OVER THE U.S. EMBASSY IN BAGHDAD IN HONOR OF THE TOWN OF DUXBURY ON COLUMBUS DAY 2006
Mr. MacDonald announced that Captain Bruce French, USN, who is a Duxbury resident currently serving in Iraq, arranged for the U.S. Flag to be flown over the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad on October 9, 2006 in honor of the Town of Duxbury. A color photograph memorializes the event. Captain French then had the flag and photo delivered to the Selectmen’s office. Mr. MacDonald said that both would be on display in the Selectmen’s office.
Captain French’s wife, Patricia French, and his daughter, Meghan French, were present for the flag presentation.
DUXBURY BUSINESS ASSOCIATION: Event Permit Request/ Duxbury Holly Days
Ms. Anne Antonellis, President of the Duxbury Business Association, was present to request permission for the second annual Duxbury Holly Days, which highlights businesses
throughout Duxbury. Three trolleys will operate this year, transporting event-goers between village centers. Mr. Martecchini personally thanked Ms. Antonellis for her hard work on this event, both this year and last year. Ms. Sullivan noted that tent and sign permits would be required. Ms. Antonellis said that there will not be a tent this year.
Mr. Martecchini moved that the Board of Selectmen grant an event permit to the Duxbury Art Association for the Holly Days Celebration to be held on Sunday, November 26 from Noon to 4:00 PM. Second by Mr. Tuffy. Vote: 3:0:0.
ALDEN KINDRED SOCIETY: REQUEST TO SELL CHRISTMAS TREES
Present were Mr. Alden Ringquist (Director of Alden Historic Site), Mr. Chad Frost (Owner of Hedges Landscaping Company), and Michael Walker (Owner of Benchwarmers Sub Shop). Mr. Ringquist noted that this is the second year that a Christmas Tree Sale would be held on the property. Mr. Frost said that Balsam Fir and Frazier trees will be available.
Mr. Tuffy moved that the Board of Selectmen grant permission to Mr. Alden Ringquist, as a representative of the Alden Kindred Society of America, Inc. to sell Christmas Trees at the Alden House Historic Site on Sunday, November 26 from Noon to 4:00 PM, and on Thursdays/Fridays from 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM and Saturdays/Sundays from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM from November 27 through December 18, subject to sign permits from the Director of Inspectional Services. Second by Mr. Martecchini. Vote: 3:0:0.
TAX CLASSIFICATION HEARING
The Board of Assessors were present (Mr. Jamie MacNab, Chair; Ms. June Albritton; and Ms. Linda Collari). Deputy Assessor Richard Finnegan was also present.
Mr. Finnegan explained that the Town is required each year to set tax rates for residential and commercial property. Traditionally, the residential factor has been “one”. This means that the commercial rate is identical to the residential rate.
Mr. Finnegan explained the following facts relevant to setting the tax rate in Duxbury:
1) The total real and personal property assessed value for FY 2007 is $3,668,240,970. This is a 2.1% increase over FY 2006, as opposed to the 9.0% increase that occurred last year.
2) The average single family home assessed value for FY 2007 is $649,100. This is a 1.5% increase over FY 2006’s average assessed value of $639,300.
3) The total amount of revenue to be raised by both tax and non-tax sources (exclusive of the CPA) for FY 2007 is $57,659,860. This is a 4.6% increase over FY 2006. Last year’s increase was 5.7%. This revenue was derived from a tax base that consists of 6,031 units of real property and 468 units of personal property.
4) The tax levy for FY 2007 is $37,195,963. This is a 5.2% increase over FY 2006. The Community Preservation Act (CPA) will raise at the local level an additional 3% of the real property tax levy. Without considering abatements or the State match, this amounts to $1,115,879.
5) The proposed tax rate for FY 2007 is $10.14 per one thousand of assessed valuation. This tax rate is a 3.0% increase over FY 2006. This is the first time in nine years that the tax rate has not declined because of a rapidly appreciating real estate market.
6) The average single family home tax bill for FY 2007 is $6,581.87. This is an increase of 4.6% over FY 2006. The CPA adds 3% to this average tax bill, or $197.
7) The assessed value of the new construction and personal property new growth that took place during the twelve-month period from July 1, 2005 to June 30, 2006 is $49,488,390. This new construction translates into $486,966 of increased tax levy capacity over the basic limits of Proposition 2 ½. This is 8.3% less than last year.
8) Since commercial property represents only three percent of Duxbury’s tax base, even the maximum allowable tax shift to this property class would produce a relatively negligible decrease in the tax burden of the residential property class.
9) That is, the full implementation of the Tax Classification Law in Duxbury would have the effect of lowering the current single tax rate of $10.14 sixteen cents to $9.98 for residential properties. At the same time it would increase the commercial tax rate by $5.07, from $10.14 to $15.21.
10) To illustrate, if the maximum allowable tax burden shift were made from the residential property class to the commercial property class, its effect on the average residential assessed value of $649,100 would reduce the tax bill by $103.86. However, the tax bill for a similarly valued commercial property would be increased by $3,290.94.
Mr. Bill Campbell, 60 Humphrey’s Lane, commented that while he would love to have a tax break, he agrees that it would not be wise to increase the burden on our Town businesses. Town businesses do not have children in the schools, but they pay the same rate as residents who do. He said that it is important to encourage commercial development. He also said that it is important to encourage affordable housing for seniors. Senior citizens do not have children in the schools, but they support the schools through their taxes. Mr. Martecchini commented that several methods for increasing our stock of affordable housing are now under consideration.
Mr. Tuffy moved that the Board of Selectmen set the tax rate with a residential factor of “One”. Second by Mr. Martecchini. Vote: 3:0:0.
The Board then signed Form LA-5, which communicates this vote to the Department of Revenue, Bureau of Accounts.
MEETING OF THE WATER & SEWER COMMISSIONERS
Mr. Martecchini moved that the Selectmen adjourn their meeting with the intention of meeting as Water & Sewer Commissioners. Second by Mr. Tuffy. Vote: 3:0:0.
Mr. Finnegan explained that part of the Tax Classification process involves certifying the revenues and costs associated with the Water Enterprise Fund, and signing Form A-2 for the Department of Revenue.
Mr. Tuffy moved that the Board of Selectmen sign Form A-2, approving the Total Sources of Funding for Costs Appropriated in the Enterprise Fund as $2,560.540.00. Second by Mr. Martecchini. Vote: 3:0:0.
Mr. Martecchini moved that the Water & Sewer Commissioners adjourn with the intention of meeting as the Board of Selectmen. Second by Mr. Tuffy. Vote: 3:0:0.
TOWN MANAGER BRIEF
· A meeting between Duxbury and Marshfield Town officials was held in order to discuss sewer rates for Duxbury residents served by the Marshfield Town Sewer (Gurnet Road area). Both sides requested information from the other. The 30-year agreement is set to expire in the Spring. New terms and conditions are being discussed for a possible renewal.
· Reflectors are currently being installed along Route 3A.
· A base coat will be applied to the Senior Center parking lot by the end of this week.
· The major occupation of the Town Manager’s office at this point in time is the budget process. Ms. Sullivan added that the School Department held an FY08 budget meeting on Saturday. It will be difficult for them to attain all of their proposed items under current budget conditions. The School Department is working toward aligning their budgeting schedule more closely with the Town budget schedule.
· Duxbury Town Hall will be open on the day after Thanksgiving from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
· Happy Thanksgiving!
MINUTES
Mr. Martecchini moved that the Board accept the Executive Session minutes of 11/6/06 as written, and to release those minutes to the public. Second by Mr. Tuffy. Vote: 3:0:0.
Mr. Martecchini moved that the Board accept the Open Session minutes of 11/6/06 and 11/13/06 as written. Second by Mr. Tuffy. Vote: 3:0:0.
APPOINTMENTS
Ms. Sullivan commented that the Board is still very desirous of filling the vacancy on the Board of Health. She noted that an engineering background would be helpful and that this is a volunteer position.
METROPOLITAN AREA PLANNING COUNCIL (MAPC)
Mr. Martecchini noted that the MAPC will be holding a public forum called, “Metrofutures”, about development in our area over the next 20-25 years. The free event will be held at Lombardo’s Restaurant in Randolph on Wednesday, December 6 at 5:00 PM, and includes dinner.
ADJOURNMENT
Mr. Tuffy moved that the Board of Selectmen adjourn their meeting. Second by Mr. Martecchini. Vote: 3:0:0.
Respectfully Submitted,
Barbara Ripley
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