MINUTES
BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
The Regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held at 8:00 pm in the Sharon Town Offices with Chair Walter Joe Roach, Selectmen William A. Heitin, Selectman Richard A. Powell and Town Administrator Ben Puritz.
The meeting was called to order at 8:10 p.m.
CLASSIFICATION HEARING
Assistant Assessor Mark Mazur reviewed the materials with the Board. He said that the assessed values of homes in Sharon was decreasing by 8 ½ %. He also said that the value of Commercial and Industrial properties increased in part because of the opening of the Lexus dealership. The assessed value of properties decreased from $2,998,857,200 in 2007 to $2,788,470,800 in 2008. The proportion of residential properties decreased from 95.05% in 2007 to 93.14% in 2008.
Mr. Mazur stated that the Board of Assessors recommend that the Board of Selectmen chose of residential factor of “one” for fiscal year 2008. This would result in each property class maintaining 100% of its full value tax share. The property classes include: Residential, Commercial, Industrial, and Personal Property. Mr. Mazur explained that if there was a split tax rate that because of Sharon’s high residential percentage there would by a very small benefit to homeowners and the commercial and industrial tax rate would be set at a rate that would be less attractive for businesses. Therefore, this would not benefit the community. The Board of Assessors recommends that the Board of Selectmen choose not to adopt a residential exemption for fiscal year 2008. This would result in each residential property maintaining 100% of its full value tax share. The Board of Assessors recommends that the Board of Selectmen choose not to adopt a small commercial exemption for Fiscal year 2008. This would result in each commercial property maintaining 100% of its full value tax share.
Mr. Mazur said that the Board of Assessors is recommending a tax rate of $16.97 for 2008 resulting in an 18.6% increase from FY 2007. He pointed out that the tax rate is increasing is because of the decrease assessed values. Also contributing to the increasing tax rate is the passage of the override (28%) debt exclusions (56%) and the 2.5% allowable under the law (16%). The average assessed value of a single family home dropped from $496K in 2007 to $454K in 2008 while the average taxes increased for $7,025 in 2007 to $7626 in 2008.
Mr. Mazur explained that the state had reviewed but most of the numbers but there still might be some minor adjustments. He expects the numbers will be finalized by the next Selectmen’s meeting.
VOTED: (Heitin/Powell) Voted unanimously that the Board of Selectmen accept the Board of Assessor’s recommendation and choose a residential factor of “one” for FY 2008
VOTED: (Heitin/Powell) Voted unanimously that the Board of Selectmen accept the Board of Assessor’s recommendation to not adopt a residential exemption for FY 2008
VOTED: (Heitin/Powell) Voted unanimously that the Board of Selectmen accept the Board of Assessor’s recommendation not to adopt a small commercial exemption for FY 2008
CANDIDATE FOR FINANCE DIRECTOR: CORTNEY KEEGAN
Ms. Keegan said that she is currently the Finance Director in Windsor, Connecticut since January 2006 which has a budget of over $90 million and a number of enterprise funds. Prior to her position in Windsor she worked in Uxbridge, Massachusetts for nine years as Treasurer/Collector and for the final three years as the Finance Director/Treasurer Collector. She holds a Masters in Public Affairs and has also been very involved in the Massachusetts Government Finance Officer’s Association, Massachusetts Treasurers and Collectors Association and the New England Government Finance Officers Association.
She is interested in the position in Sharon because she would like to return to a position that has both the Finance Director and the Treasurer Collector as its responsibilities. She likes to be in the trenches. She also likes the size of the budget, size of the Town and as the position is newly formed the ability to formulate the structure is very appealing.
She said she has done a number of bond issuances. Standard & Poors upgraded Windsor’s bond rating during her tenure. In Uxbridge she oversaw all areas related to health insurance including the issuing of the RFP, cost-benefit analysis, and consulted with the unions regarding the plans. In Windsor a self-insured dental program is offered.
She said in Uxbridge she had oversight of Information Technology. She is very familiar with the MUNIS system as it is utilized by the Town of Uxbridge. In terms of billing and collection, Uxbridge is done quarterly and is done internally as outsourcing would be more costly. In Windsor there is one annual tax billing annually which is outsourced.
Ms. Keegan chose municipal government because she enjoys multi-tasking, personal interaction and problem solving. She likes looking at the detail behind the numbers, reviewing what comprises a budget and methods of adopting cost saving including regional approaches.
She said in Uxbridge she “turned the place upside down in a good way” reviewing processes, procedures and internal controls. She thinks “outside the box”.
She believes a Finance Director can bring to a Town a higher level of sophistication. Currently she oversees eight people. She enjoys working collaboratively and problem solving. The downside she sees in municipal government is of the political nature when a negative environment exists. She said she is very familiar with reports and policies and procedures relating to the Massachusetts Department of Revenue.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
VOTED: (Powell/Heitin) Voted unanimously to approve the Regular Session and Executive Session Minutes of August 21 , 2007.
CONSIDER EXTENSION OF FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT SERVICES AGREEMENT
Town Administrator Puritz explained that Todd Hassett of Financial Advisory Associates has been serving as the Interim Treasurer/Collector. He said that Mr. Hassett has done an exceptional job as there are two vacancies at this time the Treasurer/Collector and the Town Accountant. Mr. Puritz said that he recommends that the Board to extend Mr. Hassett's contract through Nov. 30, 2007 on an as needed basis for an amount no greater than $25,000.00
VOTED: (Powell/Heitin) Voted unanimously to extend the contract with Financial Advisory Associates through November 30, 3007 with a maximum contract price of $25,000.00
VOTED: (Powell/Heitin) Voted unanimously to enter into Executive Session to discuss real property acquisition, matters of pending litigation, collective bargaining, personnel matters, and at the conclusion thereof to adjourn for the evening.
The Board of Selectmen adjourned at 9:05pm.
Roach: Aye
Powell:Aye
Heitin: Aye