Town Council - Ways & Means Committee

MEMBERS Braintree Town Council Thomas Bowes, Chairman Committee of Ways & Means Shannon Hume, Vice-Chair One JFK Memorial Drive Stephen C. O’Brien, Member Braintree, Massachusetts 02184 Timothy Carey, Member Thomas Whalen, Member MINUTES December 4, 2018 A meeting of the Committee of Ways & Means was held in the Johnson Chambers, Braintree Town Hall, on Tuesday, December 4, 2018 at 6:30p.m. Councilor Bowes was in the Chair. Clerk of the Council conducted the roll call. Present: Thomas Bowes, Chairman Shannon Hume, Vice-Chairman Stephen O’Brien, Member Thomas Whalen, Member Timothy Carey, Member Also Present: Joseph C. Sullivan, Mayor Joseph Reynolds, Chief of Staff Ed Spellman, Finance Director Robert Brinkmann, Deputy Assessor Robert Cusack, Board of Assessor member Susan O’Brien, Board of Assessor member Robert Connolly, Board of Assessor member Dan Sullivan, Town Auditor The meeting was opened with the pledge of allegiance to the flag followed by a moment of silence for all those serving in our armed services, past and present. Approval of Minutes • November 20, 2018 Motion: by Councilor O’Brien to Approve Minutes of November 20, 2018 Second: by Councilor Carey Vote: For (5– Bowes, Carey, Hume, O’Brien, Whalen), Against (0), Absent (0), Abstain (0) December 4, 2018 Ways & Means Committee 1 of 4 New Business • 18 060 Mayor: Tax Rate Classification or take up any action relative thereto (Public Hearing at Full Council) Mayor Sullivan stated these evaluations are a reflection of a strong residential market. We max what we can do on the commercial side. Financially this is very positive for our community. Councilor Hume asked if the town could ever not increase rates. Ed Spellman, Director of Finance stated we are not going up to 2 ½. This is only a 2% increase. 2.2 million dollars of the operating costs would have to be cut from the operating costs if less. Bob Brinkmann, Deputy Assessor stated rates go up because residential property values went up. Dan Sullivan, Town Auditor stated he concurs with the facts and evaluations. The tax rate $10.09 per thousand dollars of residential value is going down because the residential values are going up. The levy is actually increasing from last year with 1% new growth. We have excess levy capacity and able to keep the tax rate down. Local receipts and other investments are helping to keep it down. Councilor O’Brien asked if there is a potential slowing in the economy. Bob Brinkmann stated we are currently down 10% from the projection but should make up for it. Ed Spellman stated we will receive money from increased interest rates and we borrowed money last year but are currently receiving interest on it. Motions read by Councilor Hume for favorable recommendation to the full Council: 1. To apply the tax rate classification shift. MOTION: Be it ordained that the Town of Braintree, through the Braintree Council, adopt the recommendation of the Mayor and the Board of Assessors to approve the Classification Tax Rate Shift of 175% to be applied to commercial, industrial and personal property. Motion: by Councilor Hume Second: by Councilor Carey Vote: For (5 – Bowes, Carey, Hume, O’Brien, Whalen), Against (0), Absent (0), Abstain (0) 2. Re: the small business exemption. MOTION: To approve the “Small Business Exemption” as recommended by the Mayor and the Board of Assessors in a memorandum to the Town Council dated November 15, 2018, and as filed with the Office of the Town Clerk. Motion: by Councilor Hume Second: by Councilor Carey Vote: For (5 – Bowes, Carey, Hume, O’Brien, Whalen), Against (0), Absent (0), Abstain (0) December 4, 2018 Ways & Means Committee 2 of 4  3. Re: the open space discount. MOTION: To continue to adopt the recommendation of the Mayor and the Board of Assessors, as outlined in a memorandum to the Town Council dated November 15, 2018 and as filed with the Office of the Town Clerk, to decline the “Open Space” discount. Motion: by Councilor Hume Second: by Councilor Carey Vote: For (5 – Bowes, Carey, Hume, O’Brien, Whalen), Against (0), Absent (0), Abstain (0) 4. Re: the residential exemption. MOTION: To continue to adopt the recommendation of the Mayor and the Board of Assessors, as outlined in a memorandum dated November 15, 2018 and as filed with the Office of the Town Clerk, to decline the adoption of the “Residential Exemption.” Motion: by Councilor Hume Second: by Councilor Carey Vote: For (5 – Bowes, Carey, Hume, O’Brien, Whalen), Against (0), Absent (0), Abstain (0) • 18 061 Mayor: Re-Appointment - Braintree Cultural Council - Heidi Hurley or take up any action relative thereto Motion read by Councilor Hume for favorable recommendation to the full Council: MOTION: To approve the appointment of Heidi Hurley to the Braintree Cultural Council, in accordance with sections 3-3 of the Town Charter. Motion: by Councilor O’Brien Second: by Councilor Hume Vote: For (5 – Bowes, Carey, Hume, O’Brien, Whalen), Against (0), Absent (0), Abstain (0) Old Business • None It was unanimously voted to adjourn the meeting at 7:09p.m. Respectfully submitted, Susan M. Cimino, Clerk of the Council December 4, 2018 Ways & Means Committee 3 of 4  Documents provided for Meeting • Minutes for November 20, 2018 • 18 060 Mayor: Tax Rate Classification • 18 061 Mayor: Re-Appointment - Braintree Cultural Council - Heidi Hurley December 4, 2018 Ways & Means Committee 4 of 4