Part one of the two part hearing process to set the rate
Franklin around an 80/20 split between residential/commercial
Need to get the valuation to combine with the rate to determine the tax bill
Likely that the assessed valuations will decline, so a rate increase may not equate to an increased tax bill.
Q - would like to highlight that with a rate increase the valuations may be going down so there really wouldn't be an increase in the actual bill.
A - over 10 years the average bill has increased $134/135 dollars and that includes the debt exclusions for the three schools that are rolled into that amount.
Q - how much we can spend is capped by the commonwealth
A - yes, that is correct
Board of Assessors: Kevin Doyle, Vincent Debaggis, Bob Avakian, Ken Norman
Decided to offer a workshop to the board to help provide information on the process as to how the numbers are calculated. Offer still out there.
Evaluation done in accordance with MA Dept of Revenue
Market data generally available for residential properties (single family and condominiums). Commercial and industrial properties are also based upon market value but with less volume other considerations come into the calculations.
Values as of January 2007.
Discussion over the next several weeks will be on a single versus split tax rate
50% of the commercial/industrial base is comprised of the mall and the two industrial parks.
Doesn't necessarily mean that mom/pop shops account for the other 50% as East Central, Grove St and other sections of town do contain other commercial/industrial properties.
Estimate on Commercial/Industrial assessed value change has already changed from the printed copy. Updated numbers will be available for the next meeting.
Doak - So the amount of new revenue which is the only way we can increase revenue without going over the 2 1/2 % is going down.
Nutting - yes, that is correct.
Bartlett - do you have a sense for the vacancies?
Doyle - The survey data is collected early in the year and available by the summer. We do receive foreclosure deeds when they are recorded.
Doyle - getting about 66% return on the survey, up over the last 5 years from about 50%. The owners have an incentive to provide the data otherwise they loose standing if they attempt a challenge. The form is easier to read.
Doyle - about 500 commercial/industrial entities, about 11,000 single family residences
Whalen - how strong is the correlation between delinquencies and vacancies?
Norman - that is really a tax collector question
Nutting - I think they are sending out less delinquency notices. We are making 12-14% interest and at the end of the day, we collect 100% of our taxes. Eventually we get it all as we are first in line.
Cerel - Even if you have vacancies, you need to be paid full and current in taxes to challenge, you also have to have provided the input required in order to have standing to challenge it.
Feeley - Why are you not providing a position as a board on the split vs. single tax rate?
Norman - we as a Board decided not to make a formal recommendation starting this year
McGann - why the change this year?
Avakian - A prior concilor challenged the board recommendation, since there no clear direction on whether the Tax Assessors should really make a recommendation. It is clear that the Town Council has the final decision. If you ask us, we will provide our personal recommendations but we will not make a recomendation as a Board.
McGann - what is your recommendation?
Avakian - I would go single
Debaggis - I would go single
Norman - If I were in your shoes, I would go single
Doyle - I would go single
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Live reporting - Town Council Mtg 11/19/08
Attending - Whalen, Mason, Vallee, Bartlett, Feeley, Pfeffer, Doak, McGann, Zollo
A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES none
B. ANNOUNCEMENTS none
C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS none
D. CITIZEN COMMENTS none
E. APPOINTMENTS none
F. HEARINGS none
G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS – Uptowne Pub – Change of Manager, Officers & Directors
approved, unanimous
A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES none
B. ANNOUNCEMENTS none
C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS none
D. CITIZEN COMMENTS none
E. APPOINTMENTS none
F. HEARINGS none
G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS – Uptowne Pub – Change of Manager, Officers & Directors
approved, unanimous
Town Council Agenda 11/19/08
A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
B. ANNOUNCEMENTS
C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS
D. CITIZEN COMMENTS
E. APPOINTMENTS
F. HEARINGS
G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS – Uptowne Pub – Change of Manager, Officers & Directors
H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS - Board of Assessors – Tax Classification
I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS
J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
1. Resolution 08-72: Acceptance of Deed of Open Space in Old Grove Street Open Space
Residential Subdivision
2. Resolution 08-73: Authorizing Establishment of Pond Street Priority Development Site
3. Resolution 08-74: Amendments to FY 2009 Budget
4. Resolution 08-75: Appropriation – School Department Budget (Information Technology)
5. Resolution 08-76: Appropriation – Stabilization Fund (Hotel/Motel Tax Revenues)
6. Resolution 08-77: Appropriation - General Stabilization Fund (Free Cash)
7. Resolution 08-78: Appropriation – FY 2009 School Supplemental Budget
8. Resolution 08-79: Appropriation – Water Capital Projects
9. Resolution 08-80: Appropriation – Sewer Capital Projects
10. Bylaw Amendment 08-629: Amendment to Chapter 25: Personnel Regulations, Appendix A – Classification Plan- 1st Reading
K. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
L. OLD BUSINESS
M. NEW BUSINESS
N. COUNCIL COMMENTS
O. EXECUTIVE SESSION – Negotiations, Litigation, Real Property, as May Be Required
P. ADJOURN
B. ANNOUNCEMENTS
C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS
D. CITIZEN COMMENTS
E. APPOINTMENTS
F. HEARINGS
G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS – Uptowne Pub – Change of Manager, Officers & Directors
H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS - Board of Assessors – Tax Classification
I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS
J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
1. Resolution 08-72: Acceptance of Deed of Open Space in Old Grove Street Open Space
Residential Subdivision
2. Resolution 08-73: Authorizing Establishment of Pond Street Priority Development Site
3. Resolution 08-74: Amendments to FY 2009 Budget
4. Resolution 08-75: Appropriation – School Department Budget (Information Technology)
5. Resolution 08-76: Appropriation – Stabilization Fund (Hotel/Motel Tax Revenues)
6. Resolution 08-77: Appropriation - General Stabilization Fund (Free Cash)
7. Resolution 08-78: Appropriation – FY 2009 School Supplemental Budget
8. Resolution 08-79: Appropriation – Water Capital Projects
9. Resolution 08-80: Appropriation – Sewer Capital Projects
10. Bylaw Amendment 08-629: Amendment to Chapter 25: Personnel Regulations, Appendix A – Classification Plan- 1st Reading
K. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
L. OLD BUSINESS
M. NEW BUSINESS
N. COUNCIL COMMENTS
O. EXECUTIVE SESSION – Negotiations, Litigation, Real Property, as May Be Required
P. ADJOURN
Hat's Off to Franklin - video
The unveiling ceremony was held Wednesday morning in front of the refurbished town hall building soon to be the new museum.
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Enjoy!
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Enjoy!
Hat's off to Franklin
The steps in the making of the scuplture - "Hat's off to Franklin" by Marcia Billig.
Mobile post sent by shersteve using Utterli.
Replies."open the store in April 2010"
GHS
FRANKLIN —
The Planning Board will hold the first public hearing Dec. 1 for Arista Development's request for a permit to build a Walgreens pharmacy at the former Four Corners School.
At the same time, Arista will also apply for a special permit from the Conservation Commission for a drive-through window, said Town Planner Beth Dahlstrom.
In mid-May, Town Council voted to sell the former school to Arista Development LLC of Norwood for $2.5 million. Arista plans to build a Walgreens there, at the intersection of King Street and Rte. 140.
Through Town Administrator Jeffery D. Nutting and Town Attorney Mark G. Cerel, the town recently entered into a purchase-and-sales agreement with Arista, said Richard R. Cornetta Jr., the attorney representing Arista.
Nutting has said he expects the sale to be finalized in the spring.
Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here
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"It'd be nice to get climate control"
Image by shersteve via FlickrGHS
FRANKLIN —
The public library's precious murals, once threatened by leaky ceilings, are now safe from rain and the elements, said Mike D'Angelo, director of facilities for the town and schools.
Water had seeped through crevices and created bubbles and peeling in the wall plaster just above the paintings, which includes a mural depicting parts of the day by Italian artist Tommaso Juglaris, D'Angelo said.
In September, contractors began making repairs to the library, built in 1903, and have completely repointed the main building, meaning they cut out all the mortar joints between stones and put in new mortar, D'Angelo explained.
"That's where it was leaking," he said. "Some joints were just totally gone."
Workers also replaced about 70 percent of the caulk in the library addition, built in 1987, where the children's room is located, he said.
Now they are restoring the windows in the original part of the library, D'Angelo said.
Finally, contractors will install snow rails on the roof to prevent snow from sliding off, he said.
Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here
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