20240408 City Council Finance and Property Committee Meeting Minutes Matthew J. St. Hilaire-Chair CITY OF BEVERLY
Julie R. Flowers RECEIVED AND RECORDED
Brendan S. Sweeney CITY CLERK'S OFFICE
2g24 MAI - I P 3: 4 b
Finance and Property/City Council Committee of the Whole Meeting Minutes
Monday,April 8, 2024,6:OOPM
City Council Committee Room, 311 Floor, Beverly City Hall, 191 Cabot St.
The meeting was called to order at 6:00pm.
Members present: Julie Flowers, Brendan Sweeney, Matthew St. Hilaire
Other Councilors present: Hannah Bowen(joined 6:15pm), Steven Crowley, Kathleen Feldman(joined
6:05pm), Todd Rotondo, Danielle Spang
Others present: Chief Assessor Frank Golden, City Council Budget Analyst Gerry Perry, Finance Director
Bryant Ayles (joined at 6:20pm)
Order#111-Councilor Sweeney-A proposal that the City Council adopt the local option exemption allowed
under MGL c. 59 s. 5C%2 and set the increased exemption at 100 percent of the personal exemption offered
under MGL c. 59 s. 5
Sweeney stated the city offers certain exemptions to those who qualify and those amounts are dictated by
Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 59 Section 5. MGL Chapter 59 Section 5C1/2 allows for the City to go up
to 100% and double the exemption. Sweeney stated he is asking that the City goes to the maximum it is allowed
to offer for tax exemptions for those who currently qualify. That should mean what is needed out of the overlay
account for this would more or less double, but it would not happen right away. Sweeney stated that, based on
conversations with Mr. Golden, he is confident the City will have sufficient funds to do this if the overlay
account is maintained as it has been. Sweeney stated he thinks this can be done without much of a budgetary
impact.
Golden stated the overlay is healthy and can handle this. This is something that will continue to happen every
year. This is not a one-time exemption. There are six types of exemptions that would be doubled. It is not
immediately doubled; it goes to the increased difference in the tax and does have a ceiling. For example, if this
is approved and someone who currently receives a$500 exemption has their taxes go up by $400 in the next
year, then they would receive a$900 exemption the next year and not have to pay any additional taxes. It would
continue this way up until they have received a$1,000 exemption. The senior tax work off is a different
program and not one of these six exemptions.
St. Hilaire asked about the balance of the overlay.
Golden stated that as of a couple weeks ago it was slightly under three million.
Feldman joined the meeting.
Perry stated he trusts Mr. Golden's judgment. The City added more senior tax work off people a few years ago.
The City has an excess levy capacity of$1.4 million and will hopefully be able to continue that. Perry stated he
started with some reservations but he is comfortable that the overlay can handle this. Perry stated so far there is
a deficit for the budget next year and part of the strategy being considered was to not put as much into overlay.
Perry recommended adoption.
Flowers asked if there are seniors who qualify for one of these six exemptions and also the tax work off
program or if it is an either or situation.
Golden stated it depends on the situation.Ninety seniors is a lot for the tax work off. Billerica has forty-five,
and Somerville has maybe a dozen. It is a concern of mine as the chair that someone who does not really need it
would be taking advantage of that program.
Flowers asked if some of these exemptions are underutilized or if more should be done to educate the public on
what is available.
Golden stated that assessors are trained to notice while out doing abatements and to start asking the questions to
see if someone would qualify. It can always be made more available.
Bowen joined at 6:15pm
Golden stated the state reimburses the City for some exemptions but none of this would increase that
reimbursement.
Rotondo asked if there are thresholds for the senior tax work off program.
Golden stated there are none now. It would be good for some to be put in place.
Flowers stated Ms. Jacobson and Ms. Ruelle-Kersker have been looking into that and gathering information
from other communities.
Spang asked if other communities have the double exemption in place.
Golden stated it is uncommon not to have it in place. A lot of communities have it in place already.
St. Hilaire asked if there are other programs or options like this that are being underutilized.
Golden stated he didn't think so. If approved,this will be as simple as checking a box in Munis and it will be
calculated.
Spang asked how seniors can find out if they qualify.
Golden stated they can come to the Assessor's Office or the information is all online. They do need to know
that if they have an exemption,they have to apply by the deadline every year. It is something that must be done
each year,not just once.
Ayles joined the meeting.
Ayles stated that generally, if the Council chooses to do this, it would be money going to some of the more
needy areas of the constituents. It is real money the City will have to come up with every year to replenish the
overlay.
There were three residents present. One constituent asked if there is a way for the public to find eligibility
information online and another mentioned the senior center offers resources as well.
Golden stated it is on the City Assessors page of the website.
A motion to recommend the City Council approve the request was made and seconded. A vote was taken, and
the motion carried (3-0).
The meeting adjourned at 6:25pm.
Beverly City Council Committee on Finance and Property Meeting Minutes—April 8,2024 Page 2 of 2