HomeMy Public PortalAbout20090331 - Appropriations Committee - Meeting MinutesTown of Hopkinton Appropriation Committee (AC)
Minutes of Meeting on Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Town Hall, 3rd Floor Conference Room, Main St., Hopkinton, MA
In attendance:
Stuart Cowart
Ron Eldridge
Mary Lou Haroian
Joe Karner
Heidi Kriger
Chairman Karner called the meeting to order at 6:35 pm and welcomed Dr. Duffy from the
Board of Assessors. The AC had requested that Dr. Duffy attend our meeting to explain a
proposal that would enable the Town of Hopkinton to raise its tax levy by the requisite 2 ½
percent (absent a tax override or underride), but not increase the tax burden on citizens to that
extent in FY 2010. The proposal involves use of unappropriated revenue in the assessors’
calculation of the tax rate for next year. If this approach to taxation is adopted for FY 2010, it
would allow the Town to realize a 2 ½ % increase in property taxes in the tax levy, but to
suspend collection of the increase for this year.
In a highly simplified example, if the Town assessed a 1% property tax increase on its citizens,
under the proposed scenario the town could raise taxes by 4% (2 ½ % + the 1 ½% foregone in
2010) in FY 2011, without seeking an override from the taxpayers. Discussion of the
advisability of this approach ensued among the members of the AC. Dr. Duffy noted that this
was his interpretation of how the proposed tax scenario would unfold, but he wanted to discuss
this position with the other members of the Board of Assessors before committing to it. The AC
agreed that this topic would be revisited in its upcoming budget discussions.
Stuart moved and Ron seconded a motion to accept the minutes of our 3/21 meeting. The motion
passed unanimously.
Ron moved and Mary Lou a motion to accept the minutes of our 3/24 meeting. The motion
passed by a vote of 3 – 1, with 1 present not voting (SC).
The meeting schedule for the month of April was determined as follows:
Monday, April 6, 6:30PM Lower Level of Town Hall
Wednesday, April 8, 6:30PM Lower Level of Town Hall
Monday, April 13, 6:30PM Rm # 215 - Town Hall
Wednesday, April 15, 6:30PM Rm # 215 - Town Hall
Tuesday, April 21, 6:30PM Rm # 211 - Town Hall
Wednesday, April 22, 6:30PM Rm # 211 - Town Hall (Public Hearing)
Monday, April 27, 6:30PM Rm #216 - Town Hall
Wednesday, April 29, 6:30PM Rm #216 - Town Hall
The Committee reviewed a summary of the monied articles appearing on the Town Meeting
warrant and discussed the advisability of the change in procedure which resulted in printing the
warrant with dollar amounts in it. There was concern among AC members that this could result
in voter confusion during Town Meeting. Chairman Karner agreed to forward our concerns to
the Town Manager.
Heidi Kriger noted that the legal expense account for the Town for FY 2009 was depleted.
Ron moved and Stuart seconded a motion to adjourn at 9:05 pm