BUSINESS BEFORE THE BOARD
- Discuss and act on Call of Town Meeting June 11, 2009.
First Selectman Michael Pace noted that new legislation is “in” on revaluation. State Senator Eileen Daily stripped the wording that the Planning and Development Committee submitted stating that the revaluation delay decision is ultimately the Board of Selectmen’s; that language is “out” making the decision that of the “legislative body”/Town Meeting.
Town Attorney Michael Cronin stated that in regards to S.B. 997 it has become more and more obvious that the legislation signed, left to the “legislative body” of the town the decision, and this decision should be made by a wise body and this would be Town Meeting. Supreme Court addresses the mandatory nature of a Town Meeting, but if there is any doubt … Call a Town Meeting and it is clear we are obligated to do a Town Meeting.
First Selectman Pace noted that Assessor Norm Wood prepared for distribution budget and grand list information. Assessor Norm Wood stated that the grand list determines the mill rate. The tax needed is divided by the grand list to determine the mill rate. The state requires periodic revaluations of properties to fix inequities. Half of the property owners will pay reduced taxes half will pay increased taxes on their real estate.
First Selectman Pace stated that the previous budget year approved and put aside $150,000 for the statistical revaluation that was just conducted. The law indicates that in 2011 the reevaluation has to be a full physical, not a statistical like we just did. This will cost $500,000 which represents about a half mil on everyone. Revaluation in 2 years may have an escalated grand list and we will have spent between $500,000-$600,000 and the loss of the $150,000 already spent. No tax bills are out; the Treasurer needs to go to the marketplace to get funds estimated at $40,000/month. Revaluation is not without cost. Cost for greater than the benefit even to the taxpayer that may have a decrease.
Town Attorney Cronin read the Call of Town Meeting. First Selectman Pace advised for all to go to the town website to review property comparison list of the 2008 revaluation and 2007 assessment with projected mill rate. Assessor Norman Wood noted the website www.oldsaybrookct.org and the first screen upper right is the revaluation link. Hard copies of this list are available at the Acton Library, Assessor Office, Chamber of Commerce and Senior Center.
First Selectman Pace noted that the Board of Selectmen looked back at the current sales and where the committee was conducted assessments and accepted the 2008 list as complete. The Board of Selectmen received a petition by Mr. Metsack, Mrs. Castagno and Mr. Goduti that included 35 signatures which enacted and forcing Town Meeting and referendum. First Selectman Pace and the Board stated that it is in the best interest of the Town not to delay revaluation as in doing so would incur extreme cost, over a half of million dollars, and this needs to be considered.
PEACE/THOMAS Motion to approve call of the Call of Town Meeting on June 11, 2009. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
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