TOWN COUNCIL MAJORITY OFFICE
TAX POLICY COMMITTEE
SEPTEMBER 14, 2010
PRESENT William P. Horan, Jr., Chair; Councilors Marc Weinberg and Pat Harmon
ALSO Mayor Melody Currey
PRESENT Mike Walsh, Finance Director
Ralph Chappano, Office Furniture Rental Alliance LLC (OFRA)
Bob Orenstein, BKM
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Horan called the meeting to order at 5:15 p.m.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
July 21, 2010
MOTION By Pat Harmon
seconded by Marc Weinberg
to approve the minutes of the July 21, 2010 meeting with the following
correction:
under Opportunity for Residents to Speak:
Joseph Carlson, 1392 Silver Lane, Joseph Kronen, 56 Farnham Drive…
Motion carried 3/0.
OPPORTUNITY FOR RESIDENTS TO SPEAK
None
OLD BUSINESS
None
NEW BUSINESS
Personal Property Taxes: 71 George Street
Mayor Currey initiated a discussion regarding BKM/OFRA and their request for a tax abatement for their property on George Street that was damaged extensively in a fire. State Statutes permit the town to provide a tax abatement on personal property for fire loss. The Mayor recommended a tax abatement of $23,955.61 plus interest for a total of $24,371.45. Finance Director Mike Walsh discussed the abatement permitted pursuant to Connecticut General Statutes §12-64(c). Councillor Pat Harmon inquired about insurance coverage and Councillor Marc Weinberg inquired about the business on the property.
MOTION By Pat Harmon
seconded by Marc Weinberg
to recommend that the Town Council, pursuant to Connecticut General Statutes §12-64(c), approve a tax abatement on personal property located on 71 George Street, owned by Office Furniture Rental Alliance LLC (OFRA), in the amount of $24,371.45.
Motion carried 3/0.
Request for Proposal (RFP) for Mobile Home Tax Lien Sales as of April 8, 2010
Finance Director Mike Walsh initiated a discussion regarding the RFP for mobile home tax lien sales. The mobile homes are almost always worth less than the taxes on record, and the cost to acquire and move the mobile home far exceeds the value of the mobile home. By the Request for Proposal bidding process, the town might possibly be able to sell the tax liens because the mobile home parks may be interested in buying them.
A general discussion followed, including a discussion of the “jeopardy” taxes due in July 2011.
MOTION By Marc Weinberg
seconded by Pat Harmon
to recommend to the Town Council to permit the Administration to issue a
Request for Proposal (RFP) for a tax lien sale for delinquent mobile homes
as referenced in a September 14, 2010 delinquency report.
Motion carried 3/0.
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION By Marc Weinberg
seconded by Pat Harmon
to adjourn (5:45 p.m.)
Motion carried 3/0.
cc: Town Council
Mayor Currey
Mike Walsh, Finance Director
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