03/21/2022 SELECT BOARD Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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10 Mashpee Select Board Minutes March 21, 2022 APPOINTMENTS & HEARINGS Presentations on Petition Articles: Solar Overlay District: NextGrid Daniel Serber: (continued) Electrical savings to the Town under the SMART program would result in approximately 49% in savings and would allow residents to opt into the benefit which is estimated at 15% of their bill. There are benefits available for low-income users even if the project does not move forward. Mr. Serber indicated the proposed bylaw requires a 300' setback from wetlands which would include a substantial amount of the disturbed sandpit, the most appropriate portion for solar which contains no trees of value. Additional language would be required to negotiate to provide a 2:1 set -aside since this would be a loss of 0% of the system size, and thus 40% of the total value or $2,201,400 less benefit to the Town. It was noted than an environmental assessment of the property has not been commissioned. It was recommended the assessment be a condition of the Agreement if it was to move forward. If known contaminants are identified, further assessment would thus be required. In evaluating further negotiations, it was recommended that additional offset of costs for the uses of the land be considered. Payment in lieu of taxes was not recommended. Penalties could also be imposed for clean-up and removal. Language to protect the Town and to avoid litigation is highly regarded. The applicant was requested to clearly define the revisionary period. In closing Mr. Serber indicated the offer is very fair and beneficial to the Town. Presentations on Petition Articles: Tax Cap: Timothy Martin: Timothy Martin was in attendance to discuss Petition Article 28 proposed to establish a 10% Real Estate Cap for all seniors. Mr. Martin of Russell Road detailed two primary points in his presentation. As noted; There is no limit on the degree to which property taxes can be raised in a year, and there is significant evidence that human judgement is applied in creating revaluations. The reassessment process is not entirely objectively driven by laws and requirements and with the magnitude of tax increases it is important the Town demonstrates that human judgements are applied without bias and appropriate. Mr. Martin indicated he recently received a list of residential properties with 2020 to 2021 valuation increases of 50% and over, excluding new construction/improvements. For all of Mashpee there were 69 properties that had a total valuation increase in excess of 50%, with 66 properties located on Monomoscoy Island. It is expected that a similar tax hike would be imposed next year. Mr. Martin respectively requested the Town seek remedy for those who will be most affected by any continuing increases. Mr. Martin stated that although there was a reduction in the tax rate, the number of properties receiving an increase in actual taxes over 40% was reduced from 87 to 46. The 46 waterfront properties are not the wealthy property owners that may be assumed. The most effected are the small homeowners on the waterfront.