Please. Yep. Okay. Rolling. Let's start this thing up. And full screen is one of these. I'm looking at full screen. I don't see full screen here either. Anyway, that's okay. Um,
welcome to the board of assessors meeting of Wednesday, August 5th, 2026 here being held here at the Ritter Building. Um, in accordance with the requirements of the open meeting law, be please be advised this meeting is being
recorded. Um, and will be broadcast over the Lunberg Public Access Channel on Facebook Live. [clears throat] Facebook, excuse me, w at httpswww.fas.com/lenberg-public-access-k157427270-975305/ The recording can be found at the Lunberg Access YouTube channel uh after
the meeting likely tomorrow. Additionally, please be advised the town of Lunberg utilizes the Zoom platform to host as a host for its hybrid and remote meetings. That uh additionally, please be advised that the town uh utilizes the Zoom platform as a host for its hybrid.
So, sorry, wrong line again. >> [snorts] >> The Zoom platform utilizes AI technology known as AI companion to create audio transcriptions of the meetings to aid in the subsequent preparation of meeting minutes and that the AI companion is activated immediately upon watching the Zoom application. You're hereby notice
notified that this AI technology may capture audio prior to the start of the meeting andor following the conclusion of the meeting. This meeting will be held in person at this location. Um members of the public are welcome to attend this inerson meeting. Please note
that while the option to attend for remote attendance and/or participation is being provided as a courtesy to the public, the meeting will not be suspended nor terminated if technological problems interrupt the virtual broadcast unless otherwise required by law. Members of the public with a particular interest in a any
specific item on this agenda should make plans for inerson versus virtual attendance accordingly. For remote participation from a computer, use the link I will read to you to join the public meeting. uh https colon
us02 webb.zoom zoom. us/j9862046776. Again, the meeting ID is 898620. Yeah. 6204 6776. From the telephone, dial 888-475-4499
and enter that webinar ID one more time. 898-6204-6776. If you have not registered with Zoom, you'll be asked for your name and an email address. [clears throat] Note, no participant ID is required. Just press press the pound sign when asked. Telephone users may dial the star 9 to
request to speak after joining the meeting. Computer and app users may use the raise hand feature to request to speak. The agenda lists all topics which may be discussed in the meeting and those reasonably anticipated by the chair. Votes may be taken as a result of these discussions. Not all items listed and
may in fact be discussed and other items not listed may also be brought up for discussion to the extent permitted by open meeting law. Call the meeting to order. Uh first we can introduce ourselves. >> Sarah K, >> Marina,
>> Bryant Moskin, and Brian Leant. >> [clears throat] >> I don't know if the public wants to introduce themselves or not. >> Feel free or not. You don't have to. >> I'm John Beal. >> Hi, John. Thank you. [clears throat] Um, any board comments?
No one from the board. Any public comment? John? >> No. Okay. Uh our first item is to review and approve minutes of February 4th, February 25th, April 6th, April 22nd,
May 13th, and June 3rd. I don't have the minutes for July 1st yet. I sent copies of the draft to each of you. Um did you have any changes that you would like to suggest to the minutes?
>> I was only present for one of those. >> Okay. And the one I saw looked correct to me. >> I found a a period missing in uh February 4th. I wrote it out. Um
and the May I think it was the May 13th or the June 3rd we were talking about um what we're doing with the neighborhoods and it said that Reena and I are working together. I think we have the intent to work together but we haven't worked together.
Oh, I shouldn't say it will be. So, >> let's go through them individually. >> Yeah. >> Uh, so on February 4th, you have a change that includes a grammatical error. >> Yeah. Done. >> Where is it? >> Right there. Second page.
>> Page two. >> Here. I'm sorry. Are we on page two now? Flip it. We're not. Oh, [laughter] >> currently six out of the 27 real estate abatement applications have been
inspected. Period. >> I will make that correction. With that correction, is there is there anything else that need to be changed on? >> No. >> February 4th. >> Motion to approve the minutes of February 4th is written. >> You can vote on it if you so choose. You
can second it. >> Second. You can second it. [clears throat] Uh, no further discussion. All in favor? >> I >> I was the uh August 5th,
my oldest granddaughter's birthday. >> Uh, February 25th. >> Motion to approve the minutes as written. >> Second. Any further discussion? >> All in favor? >> I I >> um I don't know if it's my print out or
not, but sometimes the formatting of the paragraphs is split. >> I don't know why it does that cuz when I print them off, I get them right. >> Okay. >> And when I just >> We'll see which one shows up. >> Shows up.
>> Yeah. >> Because you're quite right, Dave. I've had that happen. I'm not sure if my computer's converting it to Word and then messing up the formatting. >> We're printing as a PDF. >> It might be. >> Yeah. >> I really didn't pay attention. I just
hit print. >> Uh again, uh April 8th >> motion to approve the minutes of April 8th as written. >> Second. >> Any further discussion? All in favor? I [clears throat]
>> and these have to have initials on them. So I have to include an initial box which is not in the in the draft because >> because you can't [clears throat] >> do it right. Um April 22nd >> motion to approve the minutes of April 22nd as written.
>> Second. >> Uh any further discussion? No. >> I I Okay. >> I Sorry. [laughter] >> Well, I didn't call for it correctly and you didn't respond because I didn't.
>> Uh May 13th, you had a correction. >> Was that the one? >> No. >> Oh, it's >> it's actually the June. >> That's mine. >> June. >> I I was unable to print the June minutes for some reason. Motion to approve the minutes of May 13th as written.
>> Seconded. Any further discussion? All in favor? >> I I um I'm sorry I don't have a print out of you >> here. Make the change that you'd like to make. >> I believe you're going to say will work
with instead of is working with or something to that effect. [cough and clears throat] Okay. Um, for the minutes of June 3rd, I suggest under current business update of the neighborhood review project to change the wording to Sarah Cammer and
Reese's Reena Swezy will attempt to work and review neighborhood factors and codes together. that have been working. >> Yeah. >> Yep. I have the minutes on my phone. >> Good. Uh
we we need to accept that change. So >> motion to accept. >> I believe you made the motion. I'll second. >> Okay. Thank you. [laughter] >> Any further discussion? All in favor? >> I I thank you. >> Now we'll vote on the minutes themselves. >> Motion to accept the minutes of June 3rd
as amended. >> Second. All uh any further discussion? >> All in favor? I please let me in. Wow. [clears throat] >> Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. See this >> Thank you for doing that >> piece of paper. This is this is our
>> website and our minutes. The only one that we had out there was here. Now we just showed all of those till now. you said um well I think we need to consider who's doing the first draft of the minutes.
>> Well, the reason I [clears throat] there was suggestion by the town manager that our admin take over doing the the preliminary minutes. Um but I don't know if that's in effect already because I've not seen the minutes for
>> July 1st. >> Okay. >> I wasn't able to confirm that she's had a conversation. They've had a conversation >> cuz we got we the budget cut. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Okay. >> So, um starting with the July minutes, we may
indeed have Robin typing them up from the Zoom transcript, >> but [clears throat] I don't know that yet. I haven't I wasn't able to confirm it. So, I'll confirm that for the next meeting and we'll we'll know that I'll send a note out. >> That' be helpful if we had a principal first. [clears throat]
So, >> sorry. >> That's um that's not on the agenda. >> It's a little out of order. >> It's kind of on the agenda. Um >> we don't have copies of the executive session minutes for April 8th, 22nd or May 3.
>> I'm trying to get copies off Linda's >> computer. >> Uhhuh. >> Okay. Uh, having said that, Robin's [clears throat] having some difficulty getting it to Linda's computer, so we might have to recreate them.
>> Okay. Um, thank you. >> Yeah. >> Uh, tentative appointment uh with the stormwater task force to understand their ask of the assessors. I believe that is mine. Mr. Be is here. >> Hey, hello.
>> You can feel free to join join us. Any one of these seats is fine. That the [clears throat] little owl will find you. [laughter] >> Yeah. >> Um there had been an request from Mr. Beal about uh trying to uh I guess coordinate
some of the ma mapping information and some of our our property record cards. And it became less and less clear to me what we were actually giving you. So I I wanted to get an idea of what you were looking for actually and how we could help and it's it's mapping so we may be
able to help with that. [clears throat] >> Um so let me ask you if you are interested in so I'm here really um sort of a public not so much to represent the storm task force but storm task force need information so we collect information I happen to memor task force also. Okay,
that being said, um, so would you like some background or would you like me just cut to the quick little bit of background if you can? >> Okay. All right. I can actually have paper.
>> I only have four copies. >> She's a consultant. >> It should be Yeah. Yep. Thank you. >> Sure. >> Okay. So, I don't know if you recall, but um at one of our town meetings, there was a
vote that was um put forth that we would hire a contractor to do some work for us about $450,000 and everybody voted for it. Um, so in response to that, we hired Weston and Samson, which is a uh like a an agency
that does consulting for people like us that want to establish utilities for storm water. Um, and they did some work for us and they had a public presentation session that was kind of like in February when crappy and was at the public library because the weather was so bad. [clears throat] But that being said, it is recorded. It is
available on on YouTube. So all this information is in that public information session. So, I wanted to basically since so few people attended and so few people logged on through Zoom, I figured I would um offer this information to you just to kind of like bring you up to speed um
so the the storm water task force is research and feasibility of a storm water utility. Uh the proposed utility proposed keyword uh would close the gap and DPW budgetary shortfall and enable us to meet the M score which stands for
municipal storm and uh sewer system requirements imposed on us by the EPA. Um in a nutshell town fall short requirements do the following and there's other things among this list but these are the heavy hitters from
survey all catch basins and storm water systems. Clean the catch patients on a regular basis. Sweep the streets on a regular basis. There's specifications on the MS4 requirements exactly how often you need to sweep the sweep sweep the streets and exactly which streets you need to sweep.
Um perform uh detection discharge detection. So if there's a auto body shop and they're dumping oil in the storm water, you got you want to catch that and that's what that elicit detection is. We're not doing any of that. So, a lot of the stuff Bill
Bernard has on his to list, but he doesn't have the funding to do it, >> right? >> And this is a mandate from the EPA that we've been kicking the can down for years and years. Uh, that being said, uh, so overview of the utility, the snowoint utility would operate as a
Massachusetts Enterprise Fund similar to the s sewer and water utilities. These would be assessed to each property and the bill would be sent to the property owners once per year. uh fee would be calculated based on concept of impermeable area associated
with each property and the u permeable area is basically I think everybody knows like a parking lot or a roof on your house or a box store. Uh the fees may be sums as follows. All residents pay a fixed rate to be less than $100
per household. Um and for your information the average residential household has 4200 ft of permutable area. uh this is referred to as an equivalent residential unit in the uh according to the consultants that we have all other properties commercial
industrial tax exempt etc would be assessed a fee based on their corresponding IIA uh partial maintenance will be provided to non-residential properties if they meet certain criteria and the system is really designed to encourage property owners to practice good housekeeping
with respect to their storm water systems um it is a respectable bait but it can't be a complete bait because we to fund Bill's work. >> Okay. The utility will be managed by a DPWT member and directed by the DPW director. Okay. So, just kind of speak.
So, since I'm an engineer, I I need data to do my job. >> Um, you guys have the data that you need to charge. I can't even imagine doing this job without understanding exactly where what properties there are and um who the addresses are, who the owners
are, where to send the bills and u so forth. So, um so I think I sent you Brian a couple emails and Linda too and I had nice correspondence with her until she kind of disappeared.
Um, but the information that we need in your database includes the owner's names, the addresses, the use code, and total assessed parcel value. Um, and I think in one of your email correspondences would be wondering if that was necessary. And I would like that information because it would be
used to perform a trade-off between closing the DPW budget gap using a line on the town bus budget versus a utility. So people are going to want to know why don't you jump the town budget. So with that information we can actually do a trade-off. Now so the analysis will be
done based on imperable area and other towns are doing this um the properties that have a lot of impermanable area think of the um places around here have big parking lots they put a bigger load a lot more stress on the storm water system than the
residential customers residents. So they would pay a larger share of this utility fee. Um and that's the perk to the utility is to shift the burden from residents to those that actually impose a stress on their storm water system.
Uh the information uh is included in the board of assessor spreadsheets. The database would be complemented with following information that would aid the stormwater um manager to uh do the uh confirmable area. He would add inable area to each line
item in that assessor spreadsheet. Um Weston Samson is under contract to give us impermanal area for 700 properties within the town and they're really the properties that are commercial and industrial to have the biggest parking lots and box stores with the largest
footprint. Um the number of erus which is the equivalent residential unit and assessed slaughter fee and then abatement status. So the last page is sort of an illustration of that subset of the database that you maintain and
what we would complement it with in order to create a database for the storm water utility to do its bookkeeping. I mean this this makes sense to me. Um I guess I have a a couple of questions. The the database material you're asking for is already public a publicly
available. >> It is. But you have to click and search on each one, which is [clears throat] I I mean I I've been annoyed. >> I clicked that and I I imported into a data processing program that I have and I got a lot of mileage out of that. So the fact that it's out there and I didn't have to ask you for it was
awesome. >> And >> Oh, you mean the ex you said you found an Excel spreadsheet. >> Um it's it's something actually I don't think it was Excel. I think it was >> or CSV PDF or a CSV probably. >> Yeah. >> Okay. and Excel will actually let you
let you import a PDF. It's smart enough to actually do that, which I thought was nice, >> which it's great that that's out there. Um, that won't be the most recent amount. What I was mentioning was actually um the Lunberg Assessor's GIS,
which is run by CI. Um, and you can go to each of the individual properties and click on that and pull up the card that has all this information. >> So, is that GS? >> Yeah. Yeah. >> Yeah. So, so the fact that you want this information is not an issue to me
because it's already publicly available, >> right? >> Um, the fact that this the the PDF or the table format is is comprehensive t table. So, at some point in time, you guys have to draw a line in the sand or stack a chalk line and say, "Okay, this
is these this is the most current information we have. These are the property owners names. These are their addresses and we have to send out our excise tax bills or our property tax bills. So when does that happen? >> So property tax bills are finalized in for January 1st.
>> Okay. Yes. >> During the first half of the fiscal year, you're paying we are all paying estimated bills >> and the property tax bill goes out January 1st to be. >> So do you have a master spreadsheet or log of all the properties and their owners and their addresses and stuff?
>> Yes. >> Okay. That >> yes, >> we would want to synchronize with that. So, but so two things. One is while we're developing this, you can take any one of the copies that we have today and play with it. So, you can get that's what we've done so far.
>> So, so that and you were asking about why there was a difference. It's because uh we make changes as the year goes on. So, one is a picture uh at the beginning of the year and then the rest of them are just changes that occur through the year. So, they're always >> likely to be different. Um but at the
first at the first of the year we actually have to freeze the uh >> database >> the database uh somewhere around the first or second week of December. U so at that point the data would be fixed for the upcoming year which would
probably be the right place for you to pick it up for um on an ongoing basis um >> purposes. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. So this it to me it sounds like when this goes live
um there'll be an assessed fee to homes. >> So it's not going to go live this coming year. >> No. [clears throat] >> Because you're still trying to figure out exact. Okay. It has to approve by >> and and if and when um
>> the DPW would assign the fee and then I'm assuming it would get added to the >> the DPW acting as the agents for the storm water >> storm water. >> Is that true? Is that >> um there's going to be a separate utility. There's going to be someone that's assigned to manage it.
>> Okay. >> So they have to >> at least that's your right now. >> They have to assign the permacult area. they have to sign then they calculate the fee based on that and there's going to be some exempt properties and they have you know determine whether they make Makes sense. Um >> so this
Yeah. Okay. Sorry I interrupted. Go ahead. Um, I was just thinking, um, if when when this comes through, um, would be helpful for the assessor to
know if that bill is getting added to the real estate. >> Well, taxes go out. >> I think that's not an option. >> That's a what? >> I think that may not be an option. >> It might be just a talk about that. I think it separate. >> Oh,
>> cuz we had the sewer. and water are added to the already. >> All right. >> So, it's a possibility. But the >> one of the difficulties that you will have is you get the data really late >> because you get it in December sometime
and you have to turn it all around >> before the bills went out to the printer. >> So then they have to go to the printer week week and a half almost two weeks before they are actually mailed. >> Yeah. So you'd have this much time to to turn it around.
>> There's something we couldn't do. I think we wanted the sewer utility to do our billing for us and that was a that was a no call. >> Well, so I think some of that is some people in town are on sewer >> and some people aren't.
>> Mhm. >> Um >> and some people are on water. Some people are on water because they get the water from Fitsburg or I don't know >> part of the water department as opposed to the water district. >> Yes. Um cuz the water district is separate billing.
The Lunberg water district is separate building billing. We do not we don't we don't >> generate the bills >> for that. We our built well we don't generate the bills for any of that but [clears throat] the the the citizens who are getting
water from say Fitchburg get that added onto their bill. >> Okay. >> I I received a separate water >> through the tax through the tax collector. Right. >> Yeah. Through the tax collector. >> Collector. Yeah. >> I know they were talking about exactly how the billing was going to proceed. we
decide on once a year instead of quarterly because who wants a $20 bill once every quarter? Um once a year makes sense. [clears throat] >> Well, then it definitely couldn't piggy back the taxes because taxes are done accordingly. >> Okay.
>> Yeah. Um, and then looking at this, um, your second paragraph on the second page, well, the bullets, I'm assuming this is the stuff you're going to append in the DPW, um, or whatever utilities made for
impermeable area, equivalent residential units, assessed storm water fee, and abatement status. >> Okay. >> Yeah, >> that would be their internal records basically. Well, so is there some reason we couldn't put a layer at CI on our maps? Would that
>> Oh, oh, it would be great to actually get that information and and put it up there, but I was thinking more of how much the assessors could share about abatement status of properties. We we can't >> Well, that's there's a separate abatement process. >> That's just making sure these are separate things. >> It would have to be a separate abatement
process for the storm water. >> Exactly. [clears throat] We wouldn't be involved in >> we're not I'm just making sure we're not sharing abatement status. That That's not the intent. That's for you guys for >> storm water >> for the storm water, not for the property tax
>> cuz we we couldn't >> which is something we probably want to make sure we're clear on any any documents that go out. It's storm water abatement >> here as opposed to property tax abatement. >> Yeah. >> Um or real estate. >> I just want to make sure about that because I don't think that's something we can share. Right. [clears throat]
>> Uh however, >> what we are are starting to try to do I think as a town is use the GIS that we have which is currently through CI and um town entities
have access to those layers. So like the DPW director probably knows where all the storm water drains are, probably knows where all the connections are. Um, but I'm not sure that's actually made it to our GIS as a town. I'm speaking like not as a
member of the board of assessors, [clears throat] but as a town, um, we have those things. Um, we have the option to put those things on that. So, you know, fire and responders can actually see where things are. Um, but
also, um, if we're the DPW director down the road is thinking about flooding and where to put a culvert or or whatever, it it's already mapped out there. So, he he he knows where all of the impervious surfaces are and the big hitters as you
were saying. So, that that is just something for town records. >> Okay. >> Not that I control town records in any way. Okay. So, [clears throat] so I think the questions I had, I think maybe you've answered them all. So, does this make sense to you? I think everyone
said yeah. Uh, it is assumed that the database is a living document and you you agree that indeed it is. There's a version of this database what I call the golden database. It is deemed up to date and used to mail the property textbooks and the vibe I get is yes. You lock it
down first of December and it's used to do your January 1 billing. I get that right? >> Okay. uh it was a version control system used to manage the database. Just out of curiosity, it's not really important. It's just >> not to my best of my knowledge. I think it's just >> it's just a living [clears throat] continual
>> the the photograph at the beginning of the year and then it is updated on an ongoing basis. >> Okay. It's a that document is saves some place and any updates to it they just keep adding to that golden database from the previous year and you get a new product which is valid for the next
year. >> Right. Well, yes. >> Yes. Um, where would the Stormwater Utility go to access the gold database? So, is there a point of contact? >> Yes. >> Who? >> Uh, they hired him yesterday.
>> Principal assessor. [laughter] >> The new principal. >> The new principal assessor whose name I guess we'll start now is uh Brian Fernandez with an S. No, is he? He's not starting until August 17th.
So you wouldn't have a conversation with him till then. >> Okay. So >> he will be learning with the fire hose for a while. I don't know how quickly he uh any new information. >> Okay. >> So I'll be able to reach out to him through email if I just go to the board
of assessors web page and that's easy. >> He doesn't have an email yet, but >> what is his name? >> Fernandez with an S. Not easy. when when I'm looking at um what you hope to put in the database, that just requires a an Excel file or a CSV that
then can get imported into a GIS, which I'm assuming is is what they're doing with the impermeable area at Weston and Samson. >> Um sorry. >> So you want So basically the format of
the data you would like to see a CSV. >> Oh, I don't know. uh >> not necessarily >> what you're asking for us from us is owner names, address, use code, and total assessed parcel value. That is what will get spit out in a CSV. But the
shape file or the um the the GIS that would be a nice layer for Weston and Samson to do does not come out of the camo database as an Excel file. Okay,
>> that's in CI. Um, or uh I don't know if Weston and Samson is trying to use the addresses to map them to what they are seeing as parcels or not. Um, but if
our parcel file isn't matching up with what they're looking at, that's because of the new growth or subdivisions on our properties that have happened since January 1st. >> Okay. [clears throat] >> I'm not speaking the right.
>> No, >> it's a different >> Yeah. >> So, the CI database changes over time. >> Yeah. We take the photograph snapshot on J for January 1st of that
database, but it's apt to change as we go through the year. Um, as long as you have a copy of what the data is at the beginning of the year, I think you you should be golden. >> Yes. >> Um, [clears throat] the other thing that I was making noises about
>> Yeah. Um if you indeed were able to load in your uh imper imperous surface >> um information >> to CAI then we may be able to pull that information so that you could actually
potentially do billing on a coordinate basis if you so chose. So to do that, what you'd need is Weston and Samson to give you a layer that has that information per parcel. [clears throat]
And then um the town manager or whoever is responsible for GIS in town, probably the DPW director for for this [clears throat] would ask CI to host the layer.
>> Okay. >> And for >> this is being recorded, right? So play back for Bill [laughter] >> for the town or like I can talk to Bill about it. >> Okay, perfect. Actually, I like that. That's a great idea. >> And and then it'll be up there for him to use
>> when Weston and Samson is done. So if for some reason we don't want to work with Weston and Samson, they're very good. >> But if if for some reason you wanted to work with someone else, the data would still live in town. >> Okay. >> Um so is there anything we can give you today that you're looking for that you
haven't? >> I think I think what's [clears throat] online that I downloaded? We're getting a lot of mileage on it and I think that's exactly what we needed just to get us through this process of presenting to the town and saying what we'd like to do. [clears throat] So [snorts] sure I think we're in good shape. So
when the day comes that's the information we need. Um so we'll come uh early December and say it's official we need it. >> Now is is there some kind of town approval that have to take place at a town meeting perhaps in November?
>> There is a bunch of we have to jump through. There's a u what's it called? It's like a uh a warrant that we have to present a a stormwater bylaw. >> Okay. >> And that basically is establishing the utility and if everybody votes on it,
that doesn't mean it's going to happen. It just means that time agrees that the utility is an option and and if we go ahead and but they still have to agree to fund the utility that come forward and actually assess the fees.
Can I just get that pimple sheet? >> This one? >> Yeah. So, there's a process. So, first we have to get everybody to agree to the bylaw and then uh they have to agree to actually fund the utility and go forward with it. >> So, you'll have to have that will have
to include what you're how frequently you do billing and all that. >> So, I think I think all those details are pretty well ironed out. >> So, right now it's a game of presenting it to the town who understands it. I think after all this time, my mindset is I think I presented this fairly well to
you. There's a budget shortfall. People just hear the utility which means new tax and they want they have to pay more money and really there's the the the desire to pay more money is just not there for anybody. Um but we get these requirements from the EPA that
basically say we got to do this and we're not doing it. Kick the can on the board. So long as the town okay with not [clears throat] doing what the EPA tells us. This was an issue when I first moved to town in 2012. >> Yeah, >> I [clears throat] understand. >> So, it's kind of like the water district not meeting EPA requirements on clear,
you know, how clean the water is. A school district not requirements on how well to educate our kids. It's something that people are kind of not in tune to because it's not as like, you know, like in your face with respect to their lives. Um, the storm water is buried under the ground. You won't see
it, but it's almost$und00 million infrastructure, right? I see it all over Lancaster A >> heading down the street. >> And wasn't it the other day that the streets were completely flooded? >> Uh yeah, over inches of rain. Was it 3 days ago or two days?
>> Yeah, two days ago. >> Three days ago. Yeah. >> I'm still crying because I just put [clears throat] a fresh lo and I was going to plant some creeping um time >> and it hasn't been washed out. >> I mean, there's need to upgrade country
drainage. Did anybody go down reservoir at that time? >> No. >> It was completely flooded. >> If the DPW director has more money, he can afford to do that kind of stuff. >> Yes. Just throwing that out there free from >> We all need more money. >> Is this is this the format you need
>> from my database for the whole test? >> Um I think what was >> either CSV or what was actually posted um on the website? I think it was a PDF and got converted to a >> because it we can print out by street a whole report and put it in. [clears throat]
>> I was fine with that by the way. So whatever was whatever was posted online so that the public could see it test. >> So they'll need to look at every possible >> Reena. Do you remember when you published like you you did a download for me
>> for the whole town? >> Yeah, that would be perfect. >> Yeah, that that would be easy enough to do. It'll be something for the new lead assessor to learn how to do. >> Okay, that's all I have. Any other questions? Um,
>> tell Bill my vacation ends in a my vacation ends at the end of August. >> So, he she speak to him now [laughter] >> or soon, but not later. >> So, this is a good partnership. I really like this collaboration process. Uh, I
I'm glad you came to explain exactly what you're looking for. >> When when you had sent the first note, I sent it off to Linda. She sent you a report and I wasn't sure if that was enough or not. And it sounds like it was pretty close. >> The only question I have after talking to her and I really wanted to either visit her or her office call her the
valuations that are on that that database that are posted is that what is it 14.39 per thousand? Is that what it is? >> That's tax rate, >> right? So basically if I look at this database there's there's total says
partial value. So if I look at these commercial and industrial properties and multiply that the number of thousands by that rate what's in this database which is post online is exactly what they're >> should be what they're paying. >> Okay. Is that >> and you can go look at >> you tell me if they're different from the residents because they're based on
an IED report which is confidential and she couldn't share that information with me. >> So I said yes but I was thinking about residences. >> Yeah. um for commercial properties is a different valuation. There are actually three different ways we can evaluate uh
commercial properties. Um and >> the cost approach. >> Yeah. Yeah. He doesn't need to know what all three of them are, but there are three different ways. Um and one of the ways requires them to submit to us um some the income expenses
>> expense report [clears throat] and I'm not sure that's public information. could not give me that information. >> So what we could do is >> but but if that if their total assessed [clears throat] partial value is was used to calculate the tax rate then this information should tell me what
>> and this is faithful. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> That's the I was really hoping that was the case. >> Right now our tax rate per value is uniform. >> Oh okay then. So we don't charge the rate for
commercial and we may never because of the the the way what how much we have residences in town. >> So with this with this information basically we have a budget and I can tell you using a pie chart exactly how much the residents are responsible for
and how much the commercial industry are responsible for. >> It's and if you use >> residents are 92%. >> Yeah. If you use a really okay sounds about right. So if you use like the the tax levy as a vehicle or line item in the town budget to do this then the residents pay like you said but if you
actually migrate towards utility you shift the burden onto the people that have the biggest and perable area which is nice res perspective >> and I was kind of hoping people will jump in and say >> yeah good idea >> um >> well I mean clearly someone with a really large >> parking area have a lot of interior
surface >> uh be they industrial or commercial >> so in both cases, they're going to wind up paying a larger share of that portion of the budget. >> And it's it's not a huge portion of the budget, but it's something >> and and um >> yeah,
>> it's I think that line item is about half a percent of the budget. >> Yeah, >> that's probably right. >> Lot like the library. >> So make cuts to the library is like that would just save us nothing. >> Okay. Well, thank you for your help.
>> Thank you. This was wonderful. I really appreciate you coming in. I'll be off. >> Thank you. Thank you. >> Taking time out of your busy day. I got to go eat. Go shovel some loan.
Have a good day. [laughter] >> I was on that committee and brought me stone water management. I hated it because somebody from the conservation had to be on that. >> Yeah. >> And I had to do it.
Thank you for sharing that. [laughter] >> That was the first committee I was involved in. [clears throat] >> Still, >> this is near and dear to your heart. >> We're not storm water. So, >> um >> a huge issue. >> It is. It is. And
>> And it's not going to be tall, but we're not cleaning our >> drains. M. >> Yeah. Oh, that's been an issue since 2012. Before 2012. So, I'm going date myself, but back when Jack Roins was here,
>> yeah, he was on the committee. >> He was he was u adamant about making sure those were cleaned out when he we actually wanted to buy a m >> He did piece of equipment >> cuz he kept having to rent trucks from other people. >> Exactly. Exactly. So, I know he was trying diligently to to keep the keep
the drains clean. Uh I guess that's gone by the wayside somewhat. Like there's basically a vac truck to get rid of all the sediment and leaves and debris that gets stuck. Like I mean I'm not home
to witness trucks necessarily, but >> uh Yeah. >> Yeah. Cool. I thought that was really valuable. >> I'm glad >> I'm glad he came in. >> Yeah, >> those solved a bunch of questions.
>> Right. Um, the next item on the agenda is update of the neighborhood review project. >> Okay. Well, I have a dilemma. Before I went away, I called Mike Turillo
and told him what I was working on and he said, "Well, you I told him we wanted it on the actual bill, the new waterfront properties and neighborhoods." And he said, "Well, you
can't do that now." He said, "You have to wait till the spring." is he said, "Unless you can get it done in the first couple of weeks of August, I need to start doing the interim adjustment." >> He said, "So, you're going to have to put it off till the spring."
>> So, for you recall, and for your information, every year we kind of have to freeze most of the activity that takes place within our database >> so that we can do the the interim update uh update. Um and we hired somebody to
do that and basically they have to they have to play play with the database. It takes three weeks to a month. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Um so we would then be unable to make any of the changes that we would need to start
making. >> He said >> we kind of have to keep it mostly frozen. Not completely frozen but mostly frozen right up until the time we cut the hills >> right >> in December. He said it would be much better for him if we did it in the spring.
>> So, I understand. I'm disappointed. >> I am, too. >> Having said that, you have the access to the fake town. >> I do. >> You can make all changes you want. We can we can play with it. >> Mhm.
>> But just not implement it until next year. >> Next year. >> Next year. And I I think other than those little parcels laying right on the water, um I I I know what needs to be done on the
lakefront properties. I know what should be done. If you're on a street away, but you have a view of the lake. We can't use the view jacks, but we could do lake back because it's a nice view on most of the lakes if
you can look out and >> back. >> We're not going to use the word view. >> No, it's it's going to be lake back, >> right? I mean, I really [clears throat] with that if if the Lakeback properties are
the sales on those show that indeed they are a different neighborhood >> and supported by that than there's a lakeback neighborhood. >> And Mike told me he would like >> be large enough. >> You don't think so? >> Yeah. Mhm. >> He told me he would like me to use 22,
23, 24, 25, and 26 >> to look at them. >> Sales. >> Sales. >> Oh, >> yes. Okay. >> Just for, you know, and he told me, he says, I I'd like to look at all the sales she was using, but um I I don't
think I need him to um >> you evaluate your sales. >> Yeah. >> No, not necessarily. I mean, you know, if I was a newbie, I could say, "Yeah, [laughter] >> I think it would be nice after you've come up with that if we could have a
workshop where we're looking through through that together." >> Yeah. >> Right. >> Cuz I I can conceptually follow what you're doing, but I I don't really know how it looks. >> Yeah. And I think by maybe by putting it off,
we can at least get the waterfront in neighborhood three squared away for the spring because that has to be broken up. >> Well, since we're now pushing it up to the spring, can we be a little more aggressive on the other neighborhoods?
[snorts] Yeah, I've got to look through those because I don't unless it's unless it's like in a culdeac and the sales show that that's a little bit or it's on a trampled road, you know.
>> Yeah, we since we have the time we can look at all that. So, we were right now trying to finish you were hoping to finish >> at least >> neighborhood the ones and the threes the I'll call them sight indexes because they're not really neighborhoods.
>> Yeah, >> but you were trying to finish those up. >> All that's left there. There aren't that many twos >> and there aren't that many fours and we got some zeros. >> So, it gives us there's a few fives. >> There's a few fives. Yeah. But that
gives us an opportunity to stay aggressive. >> Yep. >> Using the fake town that you can play with uh on getting the ones straightened out, the three kind of straightened out. Um and then we could start moving the
rest of this so that we could be ready to >> for the spring. Well, do it in the spring, do it into the summer because we then have the latitude to get done >> before August, >> right? >> Yeah. >> So, that gives us almost a year from
today >> to do the entire thing to have it ready for the next billing session. >> Our directive, it does say >> ready for the next interimm freeze. >> Right. It it does say on our directive that it has to be done for the next
rebell, which is 29. Correct. >> Yeah. >> So, in fact, we we do have time, >> right? So, we could right now target to be done for 28 billing, >> right? >> And if we can't make it, okay, we can't make it, but we can get a lot of it
fixed by then and then, you know, do the stragglers as we get to 29 and we'll be done so that the directive is is fulfilled. So, that >> Wow. >> So, you would like me to keep working on my >> as hard as you can? >> Yeah. [laughter]
um in in your little uh sandbox area. >> Yeah. >> Is that is that a reasonable thing for us to >> I I would love to see that because I mean we our intent was to get one and three done by December basically. >> Right. Right.
>> And then >> so you still >> finish up the smaller neighborhood >> still have done just not implemented. >> Yeah. But I think because of I'm fairly comfortable with the lakes. So maybe for the next um couple of weeks we maybe you and I could get together and work on
three. I have to go have Mason update my laptop because I guess because of the server. They've gone to a server now. So yes, >> he has to make some changes on mine. >> Okay. >> Um I have to make an appointment. >> So you just you just announced to us
that the server is active. That's good to know. >> Well, that's what I was told. I have to make an appointment to come in and help him update 9 >> because of the new server. >> So, >> so one of the things that we were hoping for was to have that server replaced so that we weren't tying up somebody's
laptop, >> right, >> when we were doing our updates, >> right? So, uh, August 12th, if you want to write that down as a date, >> but if if that date works for you, we can try to do something.
Um, >> when I flipped the calendar over, >> if not August 18th, >> when I flipped the calendar, there was nothing right now on my calendar except uh September 4th, >> and I'm going to go see a surgeon for my
knee that >> we should 12th and then the 18th, which is a different day of the week. So, >> those are your two options. >> So, guys, again, I'm disappointed that we can't
move move forward with actually pulling the trigger. But I think it actually gives us a better opportunity to make sure that the whole thing hangs together, right? >> Yeah. >> So, >> we just got to keep on >> Yeah. We can't let we can't let up any
of the pressure or the you know, the work needs to continue. So, >> good. >> That'll be great. >> And we really need to think about three. >> Yeah. Like I said, I'm [gasps] feeling comfortable right now with the legs except for those little in the back, but
I think I'd rather work on three with you while you're still on vacation. >> Yeah. >> And uh >> we might need both days probably. It's my best. >> So, yeah. >> Cool. Thank you for the update.
>> Yeah. I I I was disappointed when I called him and he told me that >> and I can understand. >> Yeah. >> Why? >> It was just I was hoping after 3 years to have >> Yeah. some progress. >> We do have some. >> But it is progress. >> It is progress.
>> It's just not in the order. >> But I know, >> right? >> Cool. You welcome to stay. >> Sure. >> As long as you want. >> I don't have to pick up Ducky until 8:00. I know you're on UK time, so
you're probably ready to fall asleep. >> I've been going to bed early and getting up at 4:00 in the morning. >> Welcome home. >> Um status of the principal assessor search. As we mentioned earlier, the the new principal assessor, Brian Fernandez,
[clears throat] was ratified last night by the select board um and will be starting on August 18th. I was surprised that he wasn't at the meeting to meet with the select board. >> I was too, >> but since he's
perhaps busy, >> you know that happens. >> So, we're going to have another Brian. >> It's going to be Brian. Brian, Bryant. >> Brian Jingris. >> Oh, yeah. >> There's Brian's everywhere. You can't wipe scrape them off your shoe.
>> I'm not a Brian Bri. >> I know. Yeah. And nobody's ever made that mistake, right? >> [laughter] >> They're not. I know. >> It's like Sarah and Sarah. >> Yeah, that's true. >> One is ageless. >> So, they sound the same. [laughter]
>> Um, the senior means tested exemption presentation for August 10th. >> Yes. >> I sent the copy off. You should have all seen it. I don't know if there's anything you thought should be changed in there. Looked okay to me. >> Updated the dates >> very much. We updated the dates. We updated the amount so we had the correct
amount in there. Yeah. >> Um the Lou Frank and I are meeting tomorrow to talk about how we go about doing the presentation. >> Oh, great. >> Tom Alonzo is not available and our lead assessor is not on board yet. So, it's going to be just uses
um I don't think it's going to be very long. I know we have several people who have already sent in some applications. >> Okay. >> Uh I expect that after our presentation we'll get a few more. >> Mhm. >> Maybe not a lot more, but a few more. There was one individual who's come in
and asked for help filling out his form. And if you recall a year and a half ago, we were told by a town council, it's really not our place to do that. In fact, it's a conflict. >> Yes. >> So, the person was sent away like three
times. And when I went down to the senior center or excuse me, the adult activity center, they said, "Yeah, they he he they told him that they didn't have time." They said, "No, >> it wasn't they don't have time. They
shouldn't be helping with the form. If you send in a form and it's wrong, we'll tell you where it's wrong. We can't help you fill it out. Sorry. It's just not >> Yeah. >> According to town council, it's not appropriate." So from that perspective, I'll try to make that clear.
>> Yeah, we're telling them to if we're showing them how to fill out the form and then we're reviewing the form and deciding on the very comp. >> Well, this individual had asked us, you know, can you just put that number there? No, you put that number. No,
we're not filling out the form for you. So >> yeah, >> I'll try to make it very clear at the presentation on Monday that it's not and we can't >> Yeah. >> help fill out the form. We can help correct it if it's wrong.
>> Have they hired a new >> outreach person supposed to be starting in the next two weeks? >> I mean, I think that's probably why we're seeing that. >> Um, that's exactly right. >> Yeah. >> Uh, and maybe it's next week, but I know it's within the next two weeks. the new
outreach person should be in place. That outreach person was a senior center director in another community. >> Um and and has come here [clears throat] as as an outreach person.
Um not a demotion, not a lower level, somebody that has a lot of skill. Um and we were offering better benefits. >> Yeah. Okay, >> that never happens.
We were offering better benefits. So, person has a incentive to come here and do a good good job. Great job. They already know what they're doing. I think this is going to be a great thing for the senior center or belt activity center. I'm
>> just kid. [snorts] >> Yep. >> It's for people over 50, right? >> I get >> 50 and up. When they built a new senior center in Graten, they did change the name. It's now the Graten Center. They took out senior center. They just call
it now the Graten Center because they don't want that just to be for seniors. Um, so I thought Karen was going to come today and want some stuff that we could talk about during
>> executive session. And I know she has some outside stuff that's going on that may preclude her being able to >> Before we get to executive side, >> No, no, I wasn't there. >> Okay. >> Uh the reason I brought that up though is because we do have someone who's sent in an application for an 18.
>> Mhm. >> Clause 18. Um they're looking there was an injury and the in primary income earners. There's a whole bunch of stuff going on. It doesn't matter who it is. I'm not going to talk about
particulars, but it might be somebody who we would want to help out >> um once we see the application. >> Um which we will now not be able to see until September. >> Um
>> do we want to schedule an executive session before then? >> Maybe. But the problem, one of my problems is I have a personal problem. and I will be traveling to Portugal during the latter
part of August. So, there aren't very many many dates that we could do it. Um, if you do it in the next week, great. After that, we're out in September anyway for me. If you want to do it just
the two of you, that's okay. >> I could do something next week. >> Are you have any availability next week? Yeah, I just got back from vacation. >> Oh, >> we need Karen to be able. [clears throat] >> We do need to make sure that uh since
the lead assessor is not here yet, we need to go through the applications. So, there there are other exemption applications we could review tonight, but um I didn't confirm that Karen was here today. So, sorry. >> It's okay.
>> I'm leave you guys because I have to go pick up Douggee. >> Okay. >> Say hi to Ducky. He missed me terribly. >> You think? >> Oh, [laughter] okay guys. Have a great You're going to have a great time. >> H >> You're going to have a great time. Thank you.
>> Yeah, >> except I heard those other two coming behind them that when I came home the other day, I got they almost knocked me over kisses. When did you go? You said you are going you're you're going to be
unavailable in early September or you don't know yet? >> No, no, no. I'm going to go see the doctor September >> to see when I can schedule surgery. >> Okay. >> I don't want to. It's going to be on his availability
anyway. So, it might be >> Absolutely. >> And maybe that's a good reason. Thank God that uh we weren't able to do anything try [laughter] to do anything for this year because we would have been some doing some rehab at some point. So >> So maybe this all fits together really
well. >> All right guys, good night. Thank you. Be in touch. >> Um so that's why I wanted to talk 18. >> Um I was just looking at clause 22.
>> Oh, I forgot this. Did I? >> Yeah. It was right after on the current businesses scheduled for storm right after storm water task force the veterans exemption. >> I have an old copy that doesn't have
Thank you. I'm glad I >> that's why I was not that's why I was prompting about that. Um, so recently, uh, a veteran came into our office and asked why all his friends in other communities are getting more than $400
>> for an exemption. Uh, and I didn't even realize that we could modify the exemption amount >> for clause 22. We modified a bunch of others. [clears throat]
Recognizing that any increase in the exemption amount is not going to be reimbursed by the state. So, it was paid for completely by our taxpayers. Um, if we want to get something on the
agenda, yeah, on the warrant, we have to have it by Friday. >> Well, that's for the extra special. >> The extra special one, right? Or we could do it in front of November. >> Yeah. Which would still work for
>> I'm sure it will. >> I'll check that. I'm not sure we'd have time to implement it if it's because the this the state then has to approve it, which usually doesn't take very long. Um, and we'd have to implement it and
figure out how they go about doing that. So, >> I I don't know. It's really not a big impromptu. By the way, if we say instead of $400, you're getting $600, you're getting $800. That's not a big change. >> Just for our information,
>> there there were uh 62 and 57 applicants in the last two years. So, on average, 60. >> Mhm. >> Um if it's a $200 increase, times 60. I can do that pretty quickly in my head. [laughter]
That would be that retax that's redistributed to the rest of the community. Basically, it comes out of overlay. So, it would just be a minor increase to the overall overlay amount, but I'm not sure what the stomach is for
by for the community to take on >> more >> more. Um, and I just I want everybody to talk think about that. And it it'd be nice if we could show some appreciation for our veterans in a
bigger way than than we have for the past 20 years. >> Yeah. >> Because change. >> Yeah. >> Um, and we don't have to do it for September. We could do it for November. We might not be able to implement it
immediately if it's not working. I could draft something up. We wouldn't be able to review it before Friday. So there there's just one thing I'm thinking about here and that is making
sure the public knows about the exemption and and why. And I'm not sure how how much we can actually talk about that exemption and get people to know about it by September.
>> Right. >> Not enough. >> That's my concern. >> Right. >> I I don't I don't want to put it out there and have it [clears throat] voted down because it's associated with >> cost. It's going it's going to increase my taxes >> with all the it is >> that much, but okay.
>> With all the override drama, right? I So, >> how many households? >> 62. >> $1,200 over 62 house 6,200 households is >> not much. >> I'm I'm not disagreeing with you, but we
also cut out $10,000 of band concerts >> precisely >> in in the green, which is like the largest community event we actually do in L. >> Right. Right. So, >> so I'm I'm hearing there's not
>> there's just pros and cons to it. >> There are and that's why I want to make sure we talked about it. Bryant, if you have any opinion on I I mean I I definitely think it's something we should do, but I also think the town won't vote for it. So, well,
they they won't vote for it September because we won't will not have had an opportunity to to. But to Sarah's point, I think you it warrants spending time. You're trying to educate so people don't just have that knee-jerk reaction of >> my taxes are going to go up and whatever. $10. No, I don't want that.
Right. >> Yeah. >> So, we're not >> So, I think we should definitely do it. I think we should put it on for November. >> I know that >> we don't have to make a motion because we we did. But it's just a one one of those I want to throw up there knowing
that we had this short range opportunity to maybe get it done and not want to wait because it there's a possibility we might be a not be able to implement for an additional year because it's so late in the process.
>> No, there's a possibility we could >> late though. I think we're more likely to be able to get it to happen if we wait until November. But >> I I would agree the likelihood of success is much higher if we have a
chance to proitize it a little bit, you know, like tell somebody other than the people who are watching right now. >> Yeah. >> So, um, okay. Brian, you feel that way? >> Okay. But then we'll we'll kind of table
it and target a nove for the November town meeting. And I don't know if you want to talk about how much we might want to do at some point. We can talk about in the future. We can talk about it now. We can just >> I would like to know what the other towns are doing around us and make sure
it's comparable. >> Some of them are 600, some of them are 800. >> I don't have a list. I haven't had a chance to do that kind of research. I just um I got some of that secondhand and >> we could we could do a little more research on >> we can find that.
>> Is it publicly available on some? >> Yeah, >> you while you take a look at a couple of other towns and they will tell you right on their website how much the exemption is 22. >> Okay. >> 22 is the veterans one. >> Okay. >> Mhm. And as as we know, we we we've
changed several others >> over the last few years. People were not reluctant at all. >> I didn't know we could change the veterans one. I thought that was fixed. >> I did, too. It just never occurred to me that >> Oh, yeah. >> One more fix.
>> So, I'm happy to rectify that. Okay. I >> just don't know how I don't know what that number should be. >> It'd be nice to see what other towns are doing, right? Uh I could probably find that out for whatever community our newly assessor is
in real quickly. [laughter] >> Um, do we want to have a tenative executive session? >> What what day? Now, we wouldn't have to since it's executive session only. >> Yeah. >> We wouldn't have to do any particular room. >> Yeah. We could just We wouldn't have to
do uh we wouldn't have to have it recorded. Um we would certainly have to post it. >> Yeah. Um >> what what are your best days next week? >> Just about any day.
>> Tuesday, Wednesday are best for me. I can't do Thursday. >> Okay. Tuesday or Wednesday? That'll be the >> 12th through the 13th. No, the 11th through the 12th. Sorry. >> We could do Monday if that works for
Karen. >> You could do Monday. You could do Monday as well. >> Let me just >> I was assuming evening. Actually, the difficulty would with would Monday would be we won't be able to post it at the time. >> Oh, okay. >> I would I'd have to post it first thing tomorrow. Wait a minute.
>> I can post it tomorrow. So, I might be able to do it, but >> I'm trying to collaborate with Reena on Wednesday. >> Okay. >> But I I doubt it'll be all day. >> Well, could be. She's talkative. No, I'm
just kidding. Um, okay. I'll shoot for the 11th or the 12th. >> Okay. >> It doesn't have to be the evening. It's an executive session, so it could be during the day. I don't know what time you get out of work. >> I have some flexibility, but okay. >> I can't tell you what that is right now.
>> Well, it's okay. We'll we'll throw throw out some possibilities and you can say yay or nay. >> Yep. >> Yeah. >> And we'll see what Karen's availability is. >> Okay. If it's the 12th, it's probably the evening.
>> Yeah, the 11th I actually have a bunch of stuff during the day, but I'm available in the evening. >> So, probably talking about evening on both, so that's okay, too. >> But Wednesday, I have more daytime. >> Okay, let me see what I can figure out
since we don't have anything to cover. Is there anything else you'd like to cover during the open session? Um, I didn't see anybody from public show up. Uh, so I assume there are no there's no public comment. Oh, before we do that,
September 9th and then what? >> Yeah, I don't know. >> Should we try to do two in September? I have tentatively the 23rd of September >> as a BOA meeting right now I don't have anything that
night. >> Yeah, I can do it. >> Let's set that up. set that up as tentative recognizing that we'll have an executive session because we will have to review the applications for the CU testing stuff >> and we have some so and we'll get to
that next week. >> Okay. >> Um and they're all due by the 2nd. >> So we may not be able to even we might have them all by the 9th. We might not. >> Yeah. >> So let's go ahead and set up two two for September.
>> Yeah. Um, honestly, I would like to go back to once a month is if we can. So, for October, one of the >> the first Wednesday in October is the 7th. >> I can put that as tentative.
>> Let's put that as tentative as well. October 7th, if that's okay. Should be fine. Fabulous. [clears throat] Okay. Uh any other board comment? None for me.
>> None for me. >> Thank you all. Uh none for me. >> Okay. Motion to adjurnn. >> I will obtain a motion to return. Second. All in favor? I I We're adjourning at 7:44.