05/03/2021 Annual Town Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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Motion made by Selectman Weeden Motion passes unanimously at 8:27 PM Article 12 To see if the Town will vote pursuant to G.L. c.40, §59 and G.L. c.23A, §§3E and 3F to: (a) approve the Tax Increment Financing ("TIF") Agreement between Old Barnstable Road MQS CY Solar Project 2020, LLC and the Town of Mashpee, substantially in the form as is on file with the Town Clerk (the "TIF Agreement"), for private property consisting of solar photovoltaic electric generating improvements to be located at the Quashnet School (Assessors Map 67, Lots 2), Coombs School (Assessors Map 67, Lots 2), and Mashpee High School (Assessors Map 73, Lots 4) pursuant to a lease of portions of said school properties by the Town, and as described more fully in the TIF Agreement, which TIF Agreement provides for real estate tax exemptions at the exemption rate schedule set forth therein; (b) authorize the Board of Selectmen to execute the TIF Agreement, and any documents relating thereto; and (c) authorize the Board of Selectmen to approve submission of the TIF Agreement and Certified Project Application, and any associated documents to the Massachusetts Economic Assistance Coordinating Council, all relating to the project as described in the TIF Agreement to be located at the above - referenced school properties and in the Certified Project Application, and take such other and further action as may be necessary or appropriate to obtain EACC approval, implement these documents, and carry out the purposes of this article; or take any other action relating thereto. Submitted by the Board of Selectmen Explanation: The Town has entered into a power purchase agreement and lease with a developer for the installation of solar canopies in the parking lots at the KC Coombs School and the Middle/High School. The electricity generated by these canopies will be used onsite. The per Kilowatt Hour (kWH) cost of this electricity will be significantly lower than the kWH cost charged to the Town by the utility, resulting in a savings to the Town for the school's energy use. Because the solar canopies will be owned by the developer, they are subject to personal property tax as a matter of law. (NOTE: Roof -mounted solar systems on municipal property are exempt from personal property tax per state law). This tax obligation would, however, be passed along to the Town as the customer pursuant to the terms of the power purchase agreement. This article will authorize the Town to effectively exempt the proposed solar canopies from property taxation pursuant to a TIF Agreement, thus, facilitating administration of the power purchase agreement. The Board of Selectmen recommends approval of Article 12 by a vote of 5-0 The Finance Committee recommends approval of Article 12 by a vote of 7-0 Motion made by Selectman Weeden Motion indefinitely postponed at 8:27 PM Article 13 To see if the Town will vote to appropriate $527,959 to establish a budget for the PEG Access and Cable Related fund for fiscal year 2022, with said appropriation to be funded through the current balance of the fund, or take any other action relating thereto. Submitted by the Finance Director