By Pattie Pacella, Neighb News Correspondent
The Acushnet Selectboard heard from Kelly Koska, Principal Assessor regarding the classification hearing for the FY19 tax levy at their meeting on October 23, 2108.
Ms. Koska told the board that the Board of Assessors was asking the Selectboard to approve a 120% tax shift for FY19. Ms. Koska stated that there has been a 5% assessment increase in property values. She also stated if the Selectboard wanted to keep the allocation at 125%, the projected rates would be $14.18 for residential and $18.20 for commercial properties, compared to $14.42, and $18.50 in FY18.
The tax shift is the difference paid between commercial and residential properties.
Selectboard member Roger Cabral asked if it was possible to compare Acushnet’s rates to comparable surrounding Towns.
Selectboard member Kevin Gaspar said that he is always against lowering it.
“It’s a vicious cycle,” he said.
Ms. Koska said it was her opinion that the Board of Assessors was looking into a five-year plan when they make the projections.
Mr. Cabral said he felt he needed more information to move forward with the assessors’ recommendation.
The Selectboard voted 2-1 to keep the shift at 125%, with Selectboard chairperson Mike Cioper voting against. Mr. Cioper said he preferred the recommendation of the Assessors for a 120% shift.
The Selectboard also met with Dan Menard from the Department of Public Works.
Mr. Menard discussed the sewer pump station at the School Department that had recent issues. He said the repairs have been made. The pump originally could handle 48 homes and now can handle up to one hundred 129 homes. The Board discussed sewer tie-ins to the system.
Mr. Menard also answered questions from Mr. Gaspar regarding the storm drains in Town.
Mr. Gaspar said he was concerned about some sinking storm drains and what plan there is in place to repair them.
Mr. Menard told the boatd he had a list of broken storm drains and they are fixing them one at a time, as they can. He said with everything else they do, they need more “money and man power.”
He said he is aware of approximately 20 drains that probably need to be repaired, and none of them are a safety issue yet.
In his Town Administrator’s report, Mr. Noble advised that Hamlin Conservation, a part of the Buzzards Bay Conservation Project will hold an opening ceremony at at 3 p.m. on Hamlin Street, Friday November 2.
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