HomeMy Public PortalAboutAssessors Board -- 2023-08-23 MinutesTOWN OF BREWSTER
2198 MAnv STREET
BREWSTER, MA 02631
PHONE: (508) 896-3701 EXT 1137
FAX: (508) 896-8089
MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF ASSESSORS
Date: August 23, 2023— Regular Session
Time: 4:30pm
Location: 2198 Main Street Town Hall Room B
OFFICE OF:
BOARD OF ASSESSORS
In Person Participants: Chair Susan Barker, Vice Chair Marjorie McGinnis, Clerk Howard
Hayes, Deputy Assessor James Gallagher
Remote Participants: None
Call to Order: Ms. Barker called the meeting to order at 4:34 pm.
Declaration of a Quorum: A quorum was present. All members were participating in person.
Meeting Participation Statement: Mr. Gallagher read the following meeting participation
statement: As a courtesy only, access to the meeting is also being provided via remote means in
accordance with applicable law. Please note that while an option for remote attendance and/or
participation is being provided as a courtesy to the public, the meeting/hearing will not be
suspended or terminated if technological problems interrupt the virtual broadcast or affect remote
attendance or participation, unless otherwise required by law.
Recording Statement: Mr. Gallagher read the following recording statement: As required by
law we are informing you that the Town will be video and audio taping as well as broadcasting
this public meeting. In addition, if anyone else intends to either video or audio tape this meeting
they are required to inform the chair.
Report of the Deputy Assessor: Mr. Gallagher reported that our residential analysis has been
completed. Commercial values are still being finalized and once complete will be submitted to
the Department of Revenue for review. The Classification Hearing is scheduled for September
11, 2023, options for the hearing will be reviewed in the meeting tonight.
Review and approve Regular Session Meeting Minutes- August 16, 2023: Postponed for the
next meeting.
Discuss and vote Community Preservation Surcharge Exemption (M.G.L. c44B Sec
3(e)(1)): Mr. Gallagher reviewed the Community Preservation Surcharge (CPA) Exemption
slides dated August 23, 2023. Mr. Hayes made a motion to recommend the CPA Exemption to
the Select Board. Ms. McGinnis seconded the motion; motion approved unanimously.
Discuss and vote Senior Means Tested Exemption: Mr. Gallagher reviewed the Senior Means
Tested Exemption slides dated August 23, 2023. Ms. Barker made a motion to NOT recommend
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the Senior Means Tested Exemption to the Select Board. Ms. McGinnis seconded the motion;
motion approved unanimously.
Discuss and vote FY2024 Tax Rate Classification Hearing options and recommendations:
Mr. Gallagher presented the Classification Hearing Option slides dated August 23, 2023. Mr.
Hayes made a motion to recommend a Residential Factor of "1" to the Select Board. Ms.
McGinnis seconded the motion; motion approved unanimously. Mr. Hayes then made a motion
to not recommend an Open Space discount, to not recommend a Residential Exemption, and to
not recommend a Small Commercial Exemption. Ms. McGinnis seconded the motion; motion
approved unanimously.
Discuss and vote FY2024 recommended allowance for abatements and exemptions
(overlay): Mr. Gallagher presented the Overlay worksheets dated August 23, 2023. Mr. Hayes
made the motion to set the allowance for abatement and exemption at not less than $175,000.
Ms. McGinnis seconded the motion; motion approved unanimously.
Review and Commit FY2024 Water Liens: Mr. Gallagher presented the Water Lien list dated
August 23, 2023. Mr. Hayes made the motion to commit the water liens for balances that remain
unpaid prior to the FY2024 real estate tax commitment. Ms. McGinnis seconded the motion;
motion approved unanimously.
Matters Not Reasonably Anticipated by the Chair: None at this time.
Next Meeting: The next Board of Assessors meeting will be September 13, 2023.
Executive Session (To comply with or act under the authority of any general or special law or
federal grant-in-aid requirements: MGL Chap 59 Sec. 60 and MGL Chap. 214 Sec. 1 B):
At 5:37pm Ms. Barker moved to enter Executive Session for the reasons noted above, not to
return to regular session. Ms. McGinnis seconded the motion. Roll Call vote: Hayes- aye;
Barker- aye; McGinnis- aye; motion approved unanimously.
Documents Reviewed:
• Community Preservation Surcharge Exemption slides dated August 23, 2023
• Senior Means Tested Exemption slides dated August 23, 2023
• Classification Hearing Options slides dated August 23, 2023
• Overlay Worksheets dated August 23, 2023
• Water Lien List dated August 23, 2023
Approved: - �) Zv2 Signed:
Date
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