City Council — 2014-12-01

City Council Regular Meeting

This meeting starts at 6:16 in a recording that covers several meetings.

Attendance

Jaclyn L. Bird present · Alderman at Large; Robert A. Boisselle present · Ward 4 Alderman; Donald L. Conn Jr. present · President, Alderman at Large; Scott M. Forbes present · Ward 7 Alderman; Gail Infurna present · Ward 5 Alderman; Jennifer L. Lemmerman present · Ward 2 Alderman; Mary Beth McAteer-Margolis present · Alderman at Large; Monica C. Medeiros present · Alderman at Large; Peter D. Mortimer present · Ward 6 Alderman; John N. Tramontozzi present · Ward 1 Alderman; Francis X. Wright Jr. present · Ward 3 Alderman

Agenda

Minutes

CITY OF MELROSE BOARD OF ALDERMEN BULLETIN● DECEMBER 1, 2014 Aldermanic Chamber Regular Meeting 7:45 PM Attendee Name Title Status Arrived Jaclyn L. Bird Alderman at Large Present Robert A. Boisselle Ward 4 Alderman Present Scott M. Forbes Ward 7 Alderman Present Gail M. Infurna Ward 5 Alderman Present Jennifer L. Lemmerman Ward 2 Alderman Present Mary Beth McAteer-Margolis Alderman at Large Present Monica C. Medeiros Alderman at Large Present Peter D. Mortimer Ward 6 Alderman Present John N. Tramontozzi Ward 1 Alderman Present Francis X. Wright Jr. Ward 3 Alderman Present Donald L. Conn Jr. President, Alderman at Large Present

ORDER-2015-63 Classification of Property Request to set a public hearing on Classification of Property for December 1, 2014 at 8:00 P.M. and Subsequently Determine The Classification Of Property. Assigned to Committee Appropriations Committee

ORDER-2015-71 Appointment Appointment of Jessica McKenna, 5 Marmion Rd., to the Beebe Estate Board of Trustees for a three-year term, said term to end on the last day of February 2017 Assigned to Committee Health, Education & Welfare Committee

ORDER-2015-72 Amending Revised Ordinances Amending Melrose Revised Ordinances, Ch. 15, Article X, Human Rights Commission, Sec. 15-50, Policy Statement as set forth herein. Assigned to Committee Legal & Legislative Committee

ORDER-2015-73 Transfer Transfer of $9,881.24 from Temporary Debt Interest to Various Accounts as set forth within Assigned to Committee Finance Committee City of Melrose Page 1 12/28/2014 3:28 PM Minutes Board of Aldermen December 1, 2014

ORDER-2015-64 Resolution A Resolution honoring Andrew T. Griscom on earning the rank of Eagle Scout Tabled

ORDER-2015-65 Resolution A Resolution honoring Jonathon W. Havey on earning the rank of Eagle Scout Tabled

ORDER-2015-74 Resolution A Resolution honoring the Melrose High School Football Team for making it to the Super Bowl at Gillette Stadium on Saturday, December 6, 2014 Amended & Tabled Board of Aldermen

ORDER-2015-54 Appropriation Appropriation in the amount of $160,788.59 From: Water Retained Earnings (A/C # 6100-319000) To: Water Reserve of Retained Earnings (A/C # 6100- 330001) Passed

ORDER-2015-55 Appropriation Appropriation in the amount of $194,259.32 From A/C #6000-319000 - Sewer, Retained Earnings To: A/C #6000-330001- Sewer Reserve of Retained Earnings. Passed

ORDER-2015-56 Appropriation Appropriation in the amount of $25,000 from Sewer, Reserve of Retained Earnings (acct # 6000-330001) to Sewer Equipment Parts (acct # 604412- 536320). Passed

ORDER-2015-57 Appropriation Appropriate $50,000.00 from Ambulance Retained Earnings (Certified Free Cash) to Ambulance, Reserve of Retained Earnings Passed

ORDER-2015-58 Appropriation An Appropriation of $1,707,555.45 From Available Free Cash To Various Accounts as set forth within Passed City of Melrose Page 2 12/28/2014 3:28 PM Minutes Board of Aldermen December 1, 2014

ORDER-2015-59 Appropriation An Appropriation of $6,217.35 from Suits and Claims Stabilization Fund to City Solicitor, Suits and Claims Passed

ORDER-2015-60 Transfer A Transfer of $26,566.26 From Temporary Debt Interest To Various Accounts as set forth within Passed

ORDER-2015-61 Transfer Transfer in the amount of $15,978.00 From: A/C# 0604412-529000 (Sewer Exp Professional Services) $10,000.00 and A/C #0604412-529200 (Sewer Exp MWRA Assessment) $5,978.00 To: A/C Sewer Overtime (A/C #604411-513000). Passed

ORDER-2015-62 Authorization Requesting authorization for the Department of Public Works to dispose of surplus property in accordance with Melrose Revised Ordinances, Chapter 4-13 as set forth herein. Passed

ORDER-2015-67 Acceptance Acceptance of mini-grant of $1000 from the Health Resources in Action Passed City of Melrose Page 3 12/28/2014 3:28 PM

Transcript

▶ 6:19 John N. Tramontozzi: My name is Donald Kahn. This is the December 1st meeting of the Melrose Board of Aldermen. Ms. O'Shea, could you call the roll, please? Alderman Burns? Here. Alderman Boisselle? Here. Alderman Forbes? here here here we have a quorum could everybody please rise and join me in saluting the flag of the united states of america and to the republic for which it stands One nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Alderman Trayvon Tozzi. Mr. President, I have with me minutes of the Board of Aldermen. Three sets, and I would move that they be admitted without reading. And that would be the minutes of the full board meeting of the Board of Aldermen on October 20th, 2014. November 10th, 2014, and November 17th, 2014.

▶ 7:32 second the motion to accept those minutes without reading mr president alderman treyman toes he moves that we accept the minutes of the three meetings that he outlined uh without reading the motion is seconded by alderman mortimer is there any discussion relative to the motion on the motion all those in favor anyone opposed motion passes the meetings of the october 20th november 10th and november 17th meeting are accepted thank you motion to open the floor for public participation mr president second alderman mortimer moves that we commence public participation this evening the motion is seconded by alderman Boisselle on the motion all those in favor anyone opposed the motion passes this is the portion of our meeting where any member of

▶ 8:14 the public who wishes to speak relative to any item that has been posted on our agenda may come forward and do so motion to close public participation mr president second alderman motion moves to close public participation the motion is seconded by Alderman Boycelle on the motion all those in favor aye anyone opposed motion passes public participation for this evening is hereby concluded as with all of our meetings this meeting will be taped and will be broadcast on Melrose cable television in accordance with the provisions of the Massachusetts open meeting law order 2015-71 appointment of Jessica McKenna 5 Marmion Road to the BB State Board of Trustees for a three-year term. Said term to end on the

▶ 8:59 last day of February 2017. That appointment will be considered by the Health Education and Welfare Committee. Order 2015-72, Amending Melrose Revised Ordinances, Chapter 15, Article 10, Human Rights Commission, Section 15-50, Policy Statement as set forth herein. That order will be referred to the Committee on legal and legislative matters order 2015-73 transfer of nine thousand eight hundred eighty one dollars twenty four cents from temporary debt interest to various accounts as set forth within that order will be referred to the committee on finance tabled order 2015-64 a resolution honoring Andrew T Griscom on earning the rank of Eagle Scout mr. president I make a motion to join this order with the subsequent order order 2015-65 a resolution honoring jonathan w havey

▶ 9:56 on earning the rank of eagle scout alderman mortimer moves to concurrent action on orders 215 64 and 215 65. is there a second second seconded by alderman forbes is there any discussion on the motion all those in favor of the motion for concurrent action indicate by saying aye aye anyone opposed mr president i make a motion to take the joint orders from the table alderman mortimer moves to remove the two orders from the table second second motion is seconded by alderman McAteer-Margolis on the motion all those in favor aye aye anyone opposed the orders are removed from the table they are before you mr president i make a motion to return the joint orders to the table to lay them on the table second alderman waterman

▶ 10:40 moves to return the orders to the table the motion is seconded by alderman Boisselle on the motion all All those in favor? Aye. Aye. Anyone opposed? Motion passes. Those two orders will be returned to the table. Order 2015-74, a resolution honoring the Melrose High School football team for making it to the Super Bowl at Gillette Stadium on Saturday, December 6, 2014. Mr. President, I rise to request immediate consideration. Alderman Mortimer asks for immediate consideration of Order 21574. Is there an objection to immediate consideration? There is not. Mr. President, I make a motion to amend the order to include the words further declaring the week of December 1st through December 6th, 2014, as Melrose Red Raiders Week.

▶ 11:27 Peter D. Mortimer: Second. Second. Alderman Mortimer makes a motion to amend the order. The motion is seconded by Alderman Medeiros. Is there any discussion on the motion? All those in favor of the motion to amend indicate by saying aye. Aye. Anyone opposed? Mr. President, I have the resolution before us. I'm going to read the part just for tonight, very quick and simple. And then there'll be a more extensive honorific ceremony on December 15th in these chambers. Be it resolved, whereas the Melrose High School football team has qualified for the state championship Super Bowl for the first time in over 30 years. The Melrose Board of Aldermen hereby join Mayor Robert Dolan in declaring the week of December 1st through December 6th, Melrose Red Raiders Week.

▶ 12:15 Peter D. Mortimer: People are asked to wear red, especially on Friday and Saturday during the home for the holidays. And we also want to extend congratulations to the Melrose High football team for winning their game on Friday, which was postponed. And they faced what seemed to be unnecessarily adverse conditions, to put it mildly, and that's the resolution. Thank you, Walden and Mortimer. Mr. President, I make a motion to lay the balance of the order on the table until December 15th. Second. Alderman Mortimer makes a motion to table Order 215-74, seconded by Alderman Boisselle. On the motion, all those in favor? Aye. Anyone opposed? That order will be laid on the table until our next full board meeting, which is scheduled for December 15th.

▶ 13:00 Are there any orders out of order this evening? Do we have any orders from committee? Could you call the calendar, please? Order 2015-54, appropriation in the amount of $160,788.59 from water retained earnings, account 6100-319-000 to water reserve of retained earnings, account number 6100-330001. This order comes recommended from the Committee on Appropriations. Motion for passage. Second. Alderman Chairman Tosi moves for passage. the motion is seconded by alderman mcateer margolis is the discussion relative to the motion madam clerk could you call the role yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes Yes. That order passes. Order 2015-55, appropriation in the amount of $194,259.32 from

▶ 14:21 account 6000-319000, sewer retained earnings, to account 6000-330001, sewer reserve of retained earnings. This order was also recommended in the Appropriations Committee. Motion for passage. Second. Alderman Tramontozzi moves for passage. The motion is seconded by Alderman Forbes. Is there discussion relative to this order? Could you call the roll, please? Alderman Byrd. Yes. Alderman Fidel. Yes. Alderman Forbes. Yes. Alderman Byrd. Yes. Alderman Willerman. Yes. Alderman Gold. Yes. Alderman Darius. Yes. Alderman Mortimer. Yes. Alderman Tramontozzi. Yes. Alderman Knight. Yes. Alderman Conn. Yes. Yes, 11 yes. That order passes. Order 2015-56, appropriation in the amount of $25,000 from sewer reserve of retained earnings,

▶ 15:19 account 6000-330001, to sewer equipment parts, account 604412-536320. This order was also recommended for passage by appropriations. Motion for passage. Second. alderman trim and tozy moves for passage of order 215.57 the motion is seconded by alderman mortimer is there discussion relative to the order could you call the role please yes yes yes yes excuse me yes yes yes yes yes yes that order passes as well order 2015-57 appropriate fifty thousand dollars from ambulance retained earnings certified free cash to ambulance reserve of retained earnings As with the other orders, this order was recommended by the Appropriations Committee. Motion for passage. Second. Alderman Tramontozzi moves for passage.

▶ 16:28 The motion is seconded by Alderman Forbes. Is there discussion relative to this order? Could you call the roll, please? Alderman Byrd. Yes. The Assignment Boisselle. Yes. The Assignment Forbes. Yes. The Assignment Inferno. Yes. The Assignment Wellerley. Yes. The Assignment McAtee-Margolis. Yes. The Assignment Dearest. Yes. The Assignment Portland. Yes. The Assignment Tramontozzi. Yes. Mr. Alderman Wright. Yes. Ms. President Conn. Yes. That order passes as well. Order 2015-58, an appropriation of $1,707,555.45 from available free cash to various accounts is set forth within. This order also after discussion was recommended by the Appropriations Committee. Motion for passage. Second. Alderman Tramontozzi moves to pass. Its motion is seconded by Alderman

▶ 17:22 McAteer-Margolis. Is there discussion relative to this order? Alderman Byrd. Yes. Alderman Boisselle. No. Alderman Forbes. Yes. Alderman Inferno. Yes. Alderman Lemmerman. Yes. Alderman McAteer-Margolis. Yes. Alderman Dearest. Yes. Alderman Mortimer. Yes. Alderman Tramontozzi. Yes. Alderman Wright. Yes. Alderman McAteer-Margolis. Yes. yes that order passes order 2015-59 an appropriation of six thousand two hundred seventeen dollars 35 cents from suits and claims stabilization fund to city solicitor suits and claims this order as with the others was recommended by the appropriation committee at its last meeting motion for passage second Alderman Tramontozzi moves for passage of 215-59 the motion is

▶ 18:17 seconded by Alderman Boisselle is there any discussion could you call the roll please yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes that This order passes. Order 2015-60, a transfer of $26,566.26 from temporary debt interest to various accounts as set forth within. This order comes recommended from the Appropriations Committee. Motion for passage. Second. Alderman Chairman Tosi moves for passage. The motion is seconded by Alderman Forbes. Is there discussion relative to the motion? Would you call the roll, please? Yes. Yes. yes yes yes yes that order passes order 2015-61 transfer in the amount of fifteen thousand nine $978, from account number 0604412-529000, Sewer Professional Services, $10,000, and

▶ 19:53 account number 064412-529200, Sewer MWRA Assessment, $5,978, to account number Sewer Overtime, 604411-513000. zero this order was recommended in appropriations committee at our last meeting motion for passage second alderman Tramontozzi moves for passage of order two five uh two one five six one the motion is seconded by alderman mcateer margolis is there discussion relative to the order would you call the role please yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes that order passes order 2015-62 requesting authorization for the Department of Public Works to dispose of surplus property in accordance with Melrose revised ordinances chapter 4-13 as set forth here in Public Works Committee recommended this order

▶ 21:07 passage motion for passage second second alderman mcateer margolis moves for passage of order 215.62 the motion is seconded by alderman forbes is there discussion relative to this order argument yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes that motion that order passes order 2015-67 acceptance of mini grant of one thousand dollars from the health resources in action this order was recommended by the hew committee motion for passage second alderman voyzel moves for passage of 215-67 the motion is seconded by alderman mortimer is the discussion relative to this order would you call the role please yes yes yes yes yes mr. that order passes mr. president seeing how the clock has

▶ 22:31 just turned to 8 o'clock I make a motion to commence the public hearing on order two zero one five dash six three how that worked out perfect alderman mortimer moves that we convene the public hearing relative to tax classification of property in the city of melrose for the upcoming fiscal year the motion is seconded by alderman Boisselle on the motion to conduct the public hearing all those in favor anyone opposed motion passes at this time we will conduct a public hearing on this order any member of the public who is interested in speaking relative to the order is welcome to come forward i think we will kick it off by having mr wilcox and mr phelan come forward from the assessing department and make a presentation please and

▶ 23:28 just for the edification of the committee of the board before we go forward this order is going to be referred to the committee on appropriations which we'll consider it a week from tonight on december 8th gentlemen fire away all right thank you i hope uh everyone got the latest final draft of the documentations for tonight and if you haven't I have extra copies this classification hearing will provide the information needed for the Board of Aldermen to select a residential factor that will be used to set the tax rate in Melrose for fiscal 2015 property values for fiscal year 2015 are based on sales from calendar year 2013 the average single family assessed value increased $22,776 from last year. An average single family value

▶ 24:20 this year is at $428,146. Condos and multifamily dwellings have also seen an increase in valuations based off of Calendia 2013 sales. Historically, Melrose has chosen to shift a portion of its taxes from the residential sector to the commercial sector in personal property and so-called CIP. This is done by selecting a residential factor that corresponds to a specific percentage that will be shifted from one sector to the other. A percentage shift of one would effectively mean that everyone would be taxed at one rate. That rate for this year would be $13.31 per thousand. The formula for determining how much of the tax burden can be shifted from residential to commercial in any given year can be found in Chapter 200 of the tax laws.

▶ 25:14 That formula is shown in Exhibit H in your memo, and for fiscal 2015 indicates the maximum shift possible is 150%, or 1.5. It has been the factor for almost every year since the law was enacted in Melrose. Traditionally, the Board of Aldermen has selected a residential factor that leads to the closest possible percent in increase in taxes for both sectors. Exhibit B cites the impact of every possible tax shift from 100% to 150%. while Exhibit H narrows the percentage of possibilities from 139% to 143%, the range in which the closest percentage occurs to both classes. This chart also shows the average residential and commercial tax bills that would be resulted from each shift, as well as both the dollar and percentage increases.

▶ 26:14 This year, the 1.42 shift, residential factor of 0.973516, that results in the closest percentage increase for both sectors. The residential sector would increase on average of 3.07%, where the commercial would increase by 3.16%. It must be noted, however, that the tax rates given in the charter estimates and could change by a penny in order to adjust anything to keep the levy under the limit of $51,504,781, as shown on Exhibit G. Should the Board of Aldermen select a residential factor of $97,3516 and a shift of $142, the residential tax rate would be $12.96 per thousand, an increase of $165 over last year, or 3.07%. For this year, the average dwelling is assessed at $428,146. The commercial tax rate on this shift would be an increase of $319 or 3.16%

▶ 27:28 for the average commercial property, which is valued at $552,018 this year. the next item that we have to vote on is an open space discount since Melrose does not have any land classified as open space a no vote is recommended residential exemptions and commercial small commercial exemptions the next vote is whether whether or whether not to grant a residential exemption to those assessments below the median assessed value the final vote is for a commercial exemption to property owners with 10 or less employees and a property value under a million dollars To date the city of Melrose has never granted either of these exemptions More details about this these exemptions can be fine found in your handout

▶ 28:16 Francis X. Wright Jr.: And with this I'd like to close the presentation and open the floor to any questions from the aldermen Okay, and these numbers are based on us going to a full two and a half levy limit. Is that correct? Yes, that is correct Any questions for Mr. Wilcox? Alderman Wright. Thank you, Mr. President. Good evening, gentlemen. Thanks for being with us. What percentage of, I know we have a high percentage of residential properties compared to commercial, but what percentage of our residential property is owner-occupied? Do you know? We do not maintain a database of owner-occupied. And how would that be determined? We'd have to probably send out either some kind of mailer, but i don't have that easily accessible we could cross-reference voter registrations possibly

▶ 29:05 Robert A. Boisselle: but i have not completed that exercise okay and just so that it's clear these large larger apartment and i guess apartment developments they're considered residential that's correct uh land use code 112 is a residential tax rate okay great okay um all All right. Thank you, Mr. Boytel. Just for clarification here, Exhibit A and Exhibit D. In Exhibit D, 2014, the historical tax rate for residential was 13.28, and the commercial was 18.51. Now, the numbers in Exhibit A that you're giving, any of these 139 to 1.43 the residential tax rate is 12.97 so we're looking for a decrease in the residential tax rate that is correct um average increase for residential is about six percent this year as the values go up the tax rate comes down so the tax rate will be coming

▶ 30:18 Mary Beth McAteer-Margolis: down for residential residential shift thank you very much anyone else thank you thank you gentlemen for coming this evening so can you tell us what the average assessment you gave us a dollar amount for the residential and the commercial what was the increase in that percentage wise as far as with a shift or right well just the average assessment you said on residential was 428 146 based on last year's sales 2013 sales yeah uh 406 was the last uh last year's assessed value the average assessed value so 406 okay okay and on the commercial on the commercial last year's um spare with me one second last year's was 546 and this year is 552 so because the assessed value is going up the rate is coming down for residential is it also coming down for

▶ 31:37 the commercial it would depend on what shift you which one we did but really on all of them the residential is coming down is that right no matter what the shift is as far as the ones I presented from 1.39 to 1.43 that is correct I have not gone through all of the other shifts but I'm sure there's a possibility where you can let's see and on exhibit B there is a point where it probably does go down see the break-even point would be a shift of 1.03 that would have increased of the tax rate from 1328 to 1329 anything else from there going forward would be a decrease in the tax rate okay thank you yeah just so people understand who are watching at home mr. Phelan and mr. Wilcox are prohibited by law from

▶ 32:33 suggesting a shift rate to the board of all them and they present the material but they are not allowed to tell us what they recommend that the board should adopt that is solely within the province of the board of alderman any further discussion questions this evening for these gentlemen motion to close the public hearing second saying no seeing no members of the public here alderman mortimer moves to conclude the public hearing the motion is seconded by alderman Boisselle and and i will note as alderman mortimer did that there are no members of the public uh present in the audience this evening on the motion to conclude the public hearing all those in favor aye aye anyone opposed public hearing relative to this order is concluded

▶ 33:21 and as i indicated at the outset this order is being referred to the committee on appropriations which we'll consider it on next monday at 7 30 p.m thank you gentlemen thank you thank you thank you thank you motion to adjourn the full board of alderman which is still open wow second alderman Order removed to adjourn. The motion is seconded by Alderman Poizel on the motion to adjourn. All those in favor? Aye. Anyone opposed? Motion passes. The board is adjourned.

City Council — 2014-12-01

Attendance

Agenda

Minutes

Transcript

Original documents