HomeMy WebLinkAbout1988-11-28 Board of Selectmen Minutes~.~ November 28, 198.~._.___~8 (eon't)
with problems with false fire alarms at one of the student dorms noting that there were l0 calls within
the past 2 months:. The Board requested that Merrimack College :meet with the'N0~th Andove~
and 'Andove~ Aire Dep~me~~'~o~ ott s0Iutions.[o this p~obtem; ~Upon' a motion 'by Selectman
Du~an,~bo~ded bY Selettman C~ouch, ~o take no action on this ~equest pendin~ notification
fi~e: ~Chief ~otan that he feels p~ogress is beinE made.- the Board approved this motion with a 4
vote (Selectman E~colini opposed).
~e~ula~ minutes... ' ·
Add to ~' ' ' ,
1. Considerable discussion took place ~e[ative to potential policy statements ~e~a~din~ p~e-
determined limitation on pay~o~ increases, format of monthly financial statements, implementation
of use~ fees, exploration of insurance alternatives and establishment of a fixed ~ese~ve.
2. failed ~otions: ~. g~coIini made a motion to direct Town Mana~e~ to develop use~ fees.
Hotion seconded by ~anciS Du~an. Opposed by Cha~]es Salisbury, Kenneth C~ouch and
Christine Smith. (2-3).
~. E~eoIini made a motion to establish p~otected and prioritized services. ~o tion seconded by
Christine Smith. Oppose~ by Charles Salisbury, Kenneth C~ouch and ~ancis Du~an. (2-1).
Karen A. Robertson, Aetin~ Adm. Asst.*********~clerk
December ~
The regularly scheduled meetin~ of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Seleetmen's meetin~
room in Town EaU. This meetin~ was duly posted. Present were: Charles Salisbury, Chairman;
Christine Smith; Francis X. Du~an; Kenneth Crouch and Robert Ercolini, members; Also present
was Paul D. Sharon, Town Manager.
Mr. Salisbury opened the meeting at 7:00 p.m.
Tax C]assific,tion MeaHn~
Representative Joseph Hermann opened the discussion by stating that the Board of Assessors
have assessed properties according to Chapter 59 of the Massachusetts General Laws. No
consideration has been given to anyone. Full and fair cash value is what the assessments are
jbased on. Selectman Ercolini stated he disagrees with theland values and urged the Sel.e.c. tmen
to adopt classification. Using several charts, Mr. Ercolini stated that by adopting classification,
the Town could save the residential taxpayers approximately $100.00 per $100,000 assessed
valuation. What he wants to see is one tax rate for businesses (an increase of 50%) and a lower
rate for residential property (a decrease of 13%). He stated that by not adopting classification, ,h~'
the Town will be issuing a check for $1.7m to North Andover industry. Mr. Ercolini further
noted that all abutting towns have adopted classification.
A lengthy discussion ensued between members of the Board,..residential taxpayers and the
commercial taxpayers of the community. Several residential homeowners stated they wanted
to see businesses paying more taxes, while several business owners stated that by doing so they
would be forced to move their businesses to other communities.
· Ercolini made the following motion: "To adopt full classification (150%).for industry & .
cMJ~mercial with corresponding reduction to homeowners) of property taxes m North Andover for
J fiscal 1989." No second· (1-4) ~
Mr. Ercolini also made the motion: "To adopt 125% classification for industry and commercial
taxpayers to sort of bridge the gap." No second· (1-4)
Mr.' Dugan made the followin~ motion: "To leave the tax rate at 100% and do not classify at
this time." Motion seconded by Christine Smith with Salisbury and Crouch in favor, Ercolini
opposed. (4-1)
Mr. Salisbury congratulated Mr. Ercolini on the work that he's done over the lastseveral mOnths
in reviewin~ the reevaluation process;'
The hearing was brought to a close with Mr. Salisbury making the following comments:
l. Town shouldlbe confident that the evaluations are done and reviewed and that the Assessors'
staff is intent on providing fairness without any political persuation from anyone.
2. Reevaluation hasn't shifted.
3. The community has grown a great deal residentially but not commercially and it is
important that the town remain attractive to the business community.
4. It is very important that the business community know clearly that it is not going to go
through an annual "crap shoot" with the Board of Selectmen to determine what percentaEe
of tax rates they are going to end up dealing with.
Finally, Mr. S alisbur.v.stated if the town is ever i~oing to adopt classification, it should be done
following a long debate, so that everyone understands long before a hearing is held.
Mr. Ercolini requested a justification of the assessments.