Select Board Nov 10: Tax classifications, first priority ARPA fund requests and more

The meeting began with a public hearing regarding tax classification: Tax Classification Hearing Notice | Milton MA (townofmilton.org

Property tax classifications hearing/presentation

Members of the town’s Assesors Office, Robert Bushway and Bill Bennett, provided a presentation on allocating the local property tax levy amount. The result is that the tax bill for the average home in Milton will increase by $320, or 3.2%, for the current tax year. The tax increase is a result of the tax levy going up by 3.6%. Milton’s thriving real estate market is causing tax bills to go up while the tax rate is going down. Based on real estate sales during 2020, the value of an average Milton home has increased by 8.6%. The commercial sector was severely impacted by the pandemic, resulting in vacancies and loss of income. The Select Board approved the property tax classification plan as presented. 

ARPA funding proposals/Finance Committee updates

The Select Board discussed the plan to address the priority 1/time sensitive American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) fund requests by seeking funding from the county first. The Health Department needs are to be addressed first. The recommendation by the Finance Committee is to come up with a short term proposal plan to be addressed at the next meeting in preparation for a vote regarding the remaining priority level requests. The Select Board moved to approve the Health Departments’ priority 1 ARPA fund requests.

Finance Director, Karen Preval presented a request to invest in a budget software program designed for local government called ClearGov. This would cost about $8,000 annually. More information on this software program can be viewed here: Home | ClearGov

Boston Gas Company hearings

On November 1, 2021, Boston Gas Company d/b/a National Grid (“Company”) filed with the Department of Public Utilities (“Department”), a petition for approval of a three-year energy efficiency plan for calendar years 2022 through 2024. For information on public hearings, please click here: Boston Gas Company d/b/a National Grid, D.P.U. 21-124 – Notice of Filing and Public Hearing | Milton MA (townofmilton.org)

Additional items of discussion

A contract with BSC group for land surveying services for land at Blue Hills Parkway/Gile Road was approved.

A Special Town Meeting is to take place on February 28.

Two contractor bids have gone out for the animal shelter project.

Due to the Thanksgiving holiday, the next Select Board meeting was held on November 17. Coverage of that meeting to be forthcoming.