Tax Clarification Meeting Minutes
Hinsdale Select Board
Meeting Minutes
Thursday, September 22, 2022, 7:00 pm
Community Room, Downstairs, Town Hall
39 South Street, Hinsdale MA
Present:
Earl Peck, Chairman
Bart Collins, Selectman
Ray Huntoon, Selectman
Clarissa Mitchell, Administrative Assistant
Robert Graves, Town Administrator
Vivian Mason, Board of Assessors Chair
Laura Galliher, Board of Assessors Member
Chris Cozzaglio, Regional Resource Group
Harald Scheid, Regional Resource Group, via phone
At 7:00 pm, Earl Peck opened the meeting. Then he opened the tax classification hearing and turned it over to Harald, who walked us through his handout (see attached document). Harald explained the efforts of Chris and the Board of Assessors, who have worked to get property values assessed throughout the year. He said the classification hearing is a requirement by Massachusetts General Law before they can set the tax rate. In the past, the Town of Hinsdale has adopted a single tax rate. Harald noted that there were a small number of abatements this year.
Harald said the Board of Assessors recommends that the Board of Selectmen adopts a single tax rate for the Town and that we raise enough money to cover the budget set in June 2023. The levy limit is $5,621,540. Assessors have tabulated new growth revenues of $132,053. Based on the shift factors, the Board of Assessors has calculated a decrease from $13.66 per thousand in FY22 to $13.49 in FY23.
Next, Chairman Peck read the following motion: The Hinsdale Board of Selectmen votes in accordance with M.G.L., Ch.40, Sec.56, as amended, the percentage of local tax levy which will be borne by each class of real and personal property, relative to setting the Fiscal Year 2023 tax rates and set the Residential Factor 1.0, which a corresponding CIP shift of 1.0, pending approval of the town’s annual tax recap by the Massachusetts Department of Revenue; Bart Collins seconded it. All said, Aye.
Earl closed the tax classification hearing at 7:19 pm then opened the meeting.
The last item on the agenda was the discussion of the fire truck. There was a broad discussion regarding the purchase of the fire truck. The board could sign the agreement now but only have the funding for the first payment or go to a Special Town Meeting and have a majority vote. The fire truck would have to be on the warrant every year, so the Town could raise and appropriate the money. If it gets voted down one year, then the Town is out a tanker. In the end, Bart Collins motioned to sign the agreement; Ray Huntoon seconded it. All said, Aye. Earl Peck abstained from voting. It was stated on the agenda that it was only supposed to be a discussion. It must be re-visited and voted on at the next Select Board meeting. Chief Rathbun noted that the Police Department received a National Highway Traffic Safety grant.
At 8:12 pm, Bart motioned to adjourn the meeting; Ray seconded it. All said, Aye.
Respectfully submitted,
Clarissa Mitchell
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Earl Peck- Chairman
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Bart Collins- SB Member
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Ray Huntoon- SB Member