A Special Meeting of the City Council was held in the Council Chamber on Thursday, December 6, 2001 at 6:30 P.M. for the purpose of taking action on matters relating to setting the tax rate, as well as matters relating to the Salem Transfer Station. Notice of this meeting was posted on November 30, 2001 at 11:13 P.M.
All Councillors were present.
Council President Joan B. Lovely presided.
Councillor O'Leary moved to waive the reading of the record of the previous meeting. It was so voted.
CLASSIFICATION HEARING - CONTINUATION
The continuation of a Public Hearing was held on the allocating of the local property tax levy among the five (5) property classes for the fiscal year of 2002, and the residential, open space, and small commercial exemption options.
Councillor Furey expressed his feelings about setting a tone to reduce the commercial rate over the next three years. He also said that using $1,000,000.00 from free cash to reduce the tax rate could be better spent.
Councillor Harvey disagreed, and stated that he believes that free cash is the taxpayer's money, and some of it should go back to the taxpayers.
Councillor Driscoll expressed her concerns in using free cash this year, when we are looking toward the fiscal year 2003 budget with increases in fixed costs, and reduced revenue due to the power plant agreement.
Councillors Furey and O'Keefe then left the meeting to attend to the organizational meeting of the new Charter Commission.
Councillor Flynn stated that she would be in favor of a compromise of using $500,000.00 from free cash, and approve a C.I.P. of 165.
Councillor LaCava agreed, and stated that he would support a compromise of $500,000.00 with a C.I.P. OF 165. It is not a lot of money, but it is symbolic.
Councillor Harvey stated that he would be in favor of $1,000,000.00 in free cash, and reducing the C.I.P. to 165.
Mr. Russell Vickers commended the Council for their consideration of lowering the business tax, and urged the Council to approve this symbolic gesture.
Mr. Roger Legere stated that many elderly do not have the additional money for a tax increase, and could not absorb it.
Mr. Biff Michaud commended the Council for their direction in this matter, and stated that he felt that everyone must share in the burden of funding city services.
Ms. Jennifer Reardon stated that the business community would appreciate the Council's gesture in lowering the commercial rate.
Ms. Denise Flynn of the Chamber of Commerce, thanked the Council for the opportunity to address them on this issue, and to listening to their concerns.
Councillor O'Leary commended the Mayor for submitting this appropriation from free cash, but asked why the business community didn't stand together to insure that businesses were built at the JPI and Vincent's site.
Councillor O'Leary moved that the hearing be closed.
#832 - (723) - APPROPRIATION FROM RECEIPTS RESERVED TO REDUCE TAX RATE
Councillor Driscoll offered the following report for the Committee on Administration and Finance. It was voted to accept the report and adopt the recommendation. Councillor Driscoll moved for immediate reconsideration in the hopes it would not prevail. Reconsideration was denied.
The Committee on Administration and Finance to whom was referred an appropriation of $750,000.00 from Receipts Reserved to reduce the gross amount to be raised by taxation has considered said matter and would recommend approval.
#833 - (#724) - APPROPRIATION FROM VARIOUS OVERLAY ACCOUNTS TO REDUCE TAX RATE
Councillor Driscoll offered the following report for the Committee on Administration and Finance. It was voted to accept the report and adopt the recommendation. Councillor Driscoll moved for immediate reconsideration in the hopes it would not prevail. Reconsideration was denied.
The Committee on Administration and Finance to whom was referred an appropriation of $76,759.25 from various overlay accounts to reduce the gross amount to be raised by taxation has considered said matter and would recommend approval.
#834 - (#755) - APPROPRIATION FROM FREE CASH TO REDUCE TAX RATE
Councillor Driscoll offered the following report for the Committee on Administration and Finance. It was voted to accept the report.
The Committee on Administration and Finance to whom was referred an appropriation of $1,000,000.00 from "Free Cash" to reduce the gross amount to be raised by taxation has considered said matter and would recommend that the matter be reported out to the full Council with no recommendation.
Councillors Harvey and O'Leary moved approval of $1,000,000.00. The motion was defeated by a roll call vote of 4 yeas, 5 nays, and 2 absent. Councillors Sargent, O'Leary, Hayes, and Harvey were recorded as voting in the affirmative. Councillors LaCava, Flynn, Driscoll, DeToma, and Lovely were recorded as voting in the negative. Councillors O'Keefe and Furey were absent.
Councillor Driscoll moved approval of $500,000.00. The motion was approved by a roll call vote of 7 yeas, 2 nays, and 2 absent. Councillors Sargent, LaCava, Harvey, Flynn, Driscoll, DeToma, and Lovely were recorded as voting in the affirmative. Councillors O'Leary and Hayes were recorded as voting in the negative. Councillors O'Keefe and Furey were absent.
Councillor Driscoll moved for immediate reconsideration in the hopes it would not prevail. Reconsideration was denied.
#835 - RESIDENTIAL FACTOR
Councillor Driscoll moved that the City of Salem adopt a Residential Factor of 78.0062% for fiscal year 2002. The motion was adopted by a roll call vote of 6 yeas, 3 nays, and 2 absent. Councillors Sargent, LaCava, Flynn, Driscoll, DeToma, and Lovely were recorded as voting in the affirmative. Councillors O'Leary, Hayes, and Harvey were recorded as voting in the negative. Councillors O'Keefe and Furey were absent.
Councillor Driscoll moved for immediate reconsideration in the hopes it would not prevail. Reconsideration was denied.
#836 - OPEN SPACE EXEMPTION
Councillor Driscoll moved that the City of Salem Not adopt an Open space Exemption for fiscal year 2002. The motion was adopted by a roll call vote of 9 yeas, 0 nays, 2 absent. Councillors Sargent, O'Leary, LaCava, Hayes, Harvey, Flynn, Driscoll, DeToma, and Lovely were recorded as voting in the affirmative. Councillors O'Keefe and Furey were absent.
Councillor Driscoll moved for immediate reconsideration in the hopes it would not prevail. Reconsideration was denied.
#837 - RESIDENTIAL EXEMPTION
Councillor Driscoll moved that the City of Salem Not adopt a Residential Exemption for fiscal year 2002. The motion was adopted by a roll call vote of 8 yeas, 1 nay, and 2 absent. Councillors Sargent, O'Leary, LaCava, Hayes, Flynn, Driscoll, DeToma, and Lovely were recorded as voting in the affirmative. Councillor Harvey was recorded as voting in the negative. Councillors O'Keefe and Furey were absent.
Councillor Driscoll moved for immediate reconsideration in the hopes it would not prevail. Reconsideration was denied.
#848 - SMALL COMMERCIAL EXEMPTION
Councillor Driscoll moved that the City of Salem not adopt a Small Commercial Exemption for fiscal year 2002. The motion was adopted by a roll call vote of 9 yeas, 0 nays, 2 absent. Councillors Sargent, O'Leary, LaCava, Hayes, Harvey, Flynn, Driscoll, DeToma, and Lovely were recorded as voting in the affirmative. Councillors O'Keefe and Furey were absent.
Councillor Driscoll moved for immediate reconsideration in the hopes it would not prevail. Reconsideration was denied.
#839 - REQUEST MAYOR TO SUBMIT APPROPRIATION FOR $500,000.00 FROM FREE CASH TO STABILIZATION FUND
Councillor Driscoll introduced the following Order, which was adopted. Councillor O'Leary was recorded as "opposed".
Councillor Driscoll moved for immediate reconsideration in the hopes it would not prevail. Reconsideration was denied.
ORDERED: That the City Council requests the Mayor to submit an appropriation of $5,000,000.00 from Free Cash to the Stabilization Account.
#840 - MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN CITY AND NORTHSIDE CARTING
Councillor O'Leary introduced the following Order, which was adopted.
ORDERED: That the attached Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Salem and Northside Carting be referred to the Committee of the Whole.
On the motion of Councillor O'Leary, the meeting adjourned at 8:00 P.M.
ATTEST: DEBORAH E. BURKINSHAW
CITY CLERK
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