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From YouTube: Committee on Ways & Means on April 27, 2017
Description
Dockets #0536 - 0543 FY18Budget: Assessing Department
A
If
anybody
wishes
to
testify
publicly
testify
after
the
question
and
answer
period,
there
is
a
sign-in
sheet
to
my
left
by
the
door.
Please
state
your
name
and
any
affiliation
and
residence.
I
am
joined
by
my
colleagues
to
my
immediate
left
at
Lodge
counselor,
nice
asabi
George
to
my
far
left
full
counselor
at
large
Michael
Flaherty
and
district
City
Council
Josh
alaikum
thanks
for
joining
us-
and
we
are
here
as
I
said,
with
the
Commissioner
of
assessing
Ron
Raquel,
thanks
Ron
for
being
available
today.
Right.
B
Thank
You
counselor
and
for
the
record,
my
name
is
Ron
Rockland
Commissioner
of
the
associate
Department
I'm
here
today
to
present
the
fiscal
18
budget
recommendations
for
the
associate
department.
The
department
is
responsible
for
maintaining
the
ownership
data
in
determining
the
fair
cash
values
of
over
160,000
real
estate
parcels
and
personal
property
accounts
each
year.
We
are
also
in
charge
of
assessing
excise
on
taps
on
both
motor
vehicles
and
boats.
B
The
do
our
guidelines
require
that
we
assess
at
full
market
value,
so
we
have
a
very
active
real
estate
market
in
Boston,
so
the
staff
has
been
out
certainly
going
out
and
visiting
properties
that
have
had
permit
work
sales,
and
then
we
will
also
be
adjusting
our
valuation
standards
to
adjust
to
adjust
for
changes
in
them
in
the
market.
Over
the
past
year,
the
city
is
projecting
nearly
2.2
billion
dollars
in
property
tax
revenues
for
fiscal
18,
so
property
taxes
now
account
for
70%
of
the
city's
overall
revenues.
B
The
Department
continues
to
focus
on
improving
the
accuracy
of
our
assessments
and
keeping
our
abatement
numbers
down.
I'm
proud
to
report
that
fiscal
17,
we
had
a
record
low
number
of
abatement
filings,
so
we
were
very
happy
and
pleased
with
that,
and
those
results
have
very
tangible
benefits
for
the
city
as
well.
We
have
an
overly
reserve,
that's
used
to
pay
abatement
refunds
and
the
fact
that
we
have
such
low
numbers
have
allowed
the
city
to
reduce
the
amount
that
we
set
aside
for
the
overlay
down
to
about
1.4
percent.
B
Now
of
our
total
tax
levy.
To
put
that
in
perspective,
it
wasn't
that
long
ago,
I
think
fiscal
2004.
We
were
putting
aside
5%
of
our
levy.
So
when
you
think
about
you
know,
every
percentage
point
represents
about
22
million
dollars.
That
reduction
has
had
very
tangible
benefits
on
the
city's
fiscal
performance.
So
with
that
I
know,
you
probably
have
some
questions
and
I'll
turn
it
back
to
you.
Thanks.
A
B
So
for
fiscal
18
we're
right
now
our
budget
assumes
about
50
million
dollars
in
new
growth.
That's
pretty
consistent
with
what
we've
seen
over
the
last
few
years,
where
we've
had
you
know
fairly
significant
growth
in
our
property
tax
base
because
of
the
very
active
economy,
we're
coming
off
a
record
amount
of
growth
last
year
in
fiscal
17
at
75
million
dollars,
but
the
new
growth
number
can
be
influenced
by
a
number
of
factors.
B
Certainly,
the
amount
of
construction
going
on
in
the
city
is
one
of
them,
but
it
can
also
be
impacted
by
personal
property.
So
if
we
have
large
investments
by
our
utility
companies,
which
we
experienced
the
last
couple
years,
that
can
drive
the
number
up.
It's
unclear
at
this
point
whether
we
can
expect
that
next
year,
so
we
built
some
conservatism
into
the
new
growth
estimate
and
the
other
big
factor
is,
we
can
have
120
180
properties
go
from
taxable
to
exempt.
Last
year
we
had
a
couple
of
very
large
properties,
including
the
main
power
plant.
B
That's
over
in
the
Longwood
Medical
Center
go
from
121
a
status
to
full
real
estate
taxes,
so
that
results
in
about
five
million
dollars
worth
of
growth
to
the
tax
base
this
year.
There
really
aren't
any
large
properties
like
that.
So
that's
another
reason
why
the
growth
estimate
is
down
a
little
bit
lower
than
from
where
the
record
amount
last
year.
But
again
it's
it's
high
relative
to
what
our
three
and
five-year
averages
are
over
the
last
few
years
right.
A
And
and
your
budget
is
virtually
flat
and
I'm
wondering
not,
can
you
speak
to
the
efficiencies
you
know?
Obviously,
with
the
new
growth
you
and
all
the
construction
going
on
your
Assessors
have
to
go
out
you,
you
probably
need
more
of
them
to
go
out
and
assess.
So
how
are
you,
how
are
you
managing
the
to
keep
the
current
staff
levels
in
process?
All
the
data
that
you
need
to
councillor.
B
I
mean
it's
not
only
the
new
properties,
even
with
the
condos
that
have
been
great.
You
know
we
it
wasn't
that
long
ago,
where
I
think
the
department
had
about
you
know
twenty
to
thirty
thousand
condos
and
I
think
now
we're
up
to
sixty
thousand
condominium
and
it's
growing
by
a
couple
of
thousand
a
year.
So
that
is
a
challenge
for
us.
We
have
really
relied
heavily
on
technology
and
are
increasing
our
reliance
on
technology
to
keep
us
efficient
so
that
we
can
still
effectively
administer
the
property
tax
at
at
the
same
numbers.
B
Some
of
the
stuff
that
we've
been
doing
includes
some
investment
in
online
filing.
We
do
that
for
all
our
personal
property
tax
return
turns
all
of
our
real
estate
tax
returns
and
we
are
going
to
be
working
with.
Do
it
to
roll
out
a
new
program
for
our
exempt
property
owners
for
the
three
ABC
process.
Those
programs
are
very
important
to
us
because
number
one
it
makes
it
more
convenient
for
the
taxpayer
to
file
the
information
with
us.
B
There's
no
paper
forms
that
they
have
to
fill
out
and
secondly,
it
makes
it
much
more
efficient
for
us
to
handle
the
information
because
we're
not
data
entering
it.
Opening
mails
scanning
it
storing
it.
It
comes
to
us
electronically,
where
we
can,
you
know,
start
working
with
it
right
away.
So
you
know
that's
been
very
important
to
us
and
we
also
have
our
major
computer
system
is
our
gamma
system,
our
computer
assisted
mass
appraisal
system.
The
system
that
we
have
now
was
installed
in
believe-it-or-not
fiscal
2000.
B
It
was
a
state-of-the-art
system
at
the
time,
went
over,
went
a
number
of
upgrades
since
then,
but
we
feel
like
there's,
probably
some
some
products
in
the
marketplace
now.
That
would
actually
help
us
take
our
efficiency
to
the
next
level,
so
we're
going
through
a
process
now
of
evaluating
and
I
know
that
in
the
capital
budget,
there's
some
money
set
aside
and
do
its
budget
to
help
us
out
with
replacing
that
ammo
system,
which
we
hope
to
do
over
the
course
of
the
next
couple
of
years.
Right
and.
A
B
Then
that
makes
a
huge
difference.
So
this
year
we
had
about
just
under
1,600
abatement
applications
filed.
You
know,
that's
that's
that's
a
record
low
for
us,
but
we've
been
in
the
you
know:
20
100
mm
range
for
the
last
couple
years,
but
that's
a
to
the
extent
that
we
can
get
the
value
right,
the
first
time
in
a
void
abatements
that
allows
us
to
be
a
lot
more
efficient
because
abatements
required
field.
Is
it
at
those
decisions?
If
our
abatements
decisions
are
appealed
to
the
appellate
act
board,
there's
a
whole
court
proceeding
right
there.
B
Those
can
be
very
time-consuming.
So
not
only
our
abatement
numbers
not
down,
but
our
fields
over
at
the
Appel
passport
down
are
now
below
300.
So
we
only
have
300
cases
open
for
all
the
fiscal
years.
So
again
that
allows
the
Assessors
on
working
on
prospective
lis
they're
working
on
the
fiscal
18
assessments
now
getting
those
right.
So
we
can
hopefully
keep
that
virtuous
cycle
of
low
abatements
and
keeping
the
values
after
it.
I.
A
A
A
B
I
guess
I'll
go
back
to
what
and
my
answer
to
your
first
question:
it's
it's
not
just
construction,
because
certainly
there's
a
lot
of
construction
going
on
right
now.
You
know.
One
thing
that
we
have
to
factor
in
the
equation
is
that
a
lot
of
the
construction
out
there
now
is
residential
versus
commercial.
B
So
the
fact
that
it's
residential
I
think
is
helpful
because
it
helps
our
housing
crisis,
but
the
same
time
residential
properties
only
yield
one
point
or
one
percent
of
their
value
as
growth
versus
commercial
properties,
which
yields
about
2.5
percent
of
their
values
growth.
So,
since
a
lot
of
it
is
residential
now
that
keeps
the
growth
and
taxes
down
a
little
bit
lower
and
again
we
had
that.
B
May
tech
power
plant
go
from
exempt
to
taxable
last
year
and
we
had
real
I
think
a
record
amount
of
personal
property
growth,
mostly
from
our
utility
companies,
but
also
from
a
couple
of
other
large
accounts
that
we
discovered
last
year.
That
is
money
that
you
know
it
doesn't
necessarily
come
in
a
constant
stream.
It
can
be
feast
or
famine
right
and
what
we
don't
want
to
be
is
in
a
position
where
we
get
too
aggressive
on
our
estimate
of
growth
and
then
find
ourselves
in
December.
B
A
C
B
Actually,
the
94
million
includes
both
the
new
growth,
the
two
and
a
half
percent
increase,
so
I
think
last
year
the
two
and
a
half
percent
increase
was
about
forty
five
million
dollars,
so
the
new
growth
estimate
was
probably
in
the
fifty
million
dollar
range
sandwich.
What
were
using
this
year?
Okay,.
C
All
right,
very
good,
thank
you
for
that.
Thank
you
again
for
being
here.
I
am
curious
whether
or
not
we
have
any
data
or
evidence
of
what
our
seniors
are
taking
advantage
of
when
it
comes
to
you
know,
protecting
them
from
different.
You
know
the
rise
of
taxes
and
we
have
the
41
C
program.
We
also
have
the
the
ability
for
seniors
to
look
for
the
state
rebate
program.
Do
we
have
any
information
on
what
seniors
have
taken
advantage?
S
yeah.
B
C
B
Well,
let
me
let
me
touch
on
a
couple
of
things
there.
You
know,
first
of
all,
that
the
the
use
of
the
programs
are
pretty
widespread
and
I
think
we
have
pretty
solid
numbers
and
you'll
see
that
some
of
the
consent-
and
we
work
with
our
partners
in
the
elderly
Commission
on
a
regular
basis
on
outreach
effort.
So
it's
not
only
the
assessing
staff
and
the
mailers
that
we
put
in
the
tax
bills
and
the
stuff
we
have
on
the
website,
but
we
also
work
a
lot
with
the
elderly.
B
Commission
and
I
was
I
had
a
meeting
with
Commissioner
Shea
a
few
months
ago.
Talking
about
having
the
assessing
staff
again
trained,
some
of
her
staff
and
some
of
the
elderly
advocates
are
out
there.
So
there
are
more
people
who
are
aware
of
our
programs.
The
one
that
I'm
most
concerned
about
is
the
state
circuit
breaker
program,
because
the
last
time
I
look,
the
participation
rate
in
the
city
of
Boston
for
that
program
is
relatively
low.
B
Part
of
it
is
because
our
residential
tax
is
because
of
our
exemption
programs
and
the
residential
exemption
tend
to
be
a
little
bit
lower
than
a
lot
of
our
neighboring
communities.
But
I
also
think
that
the
circuit
breaker
program
is
somewhat
complicated
for
folks
and
I.
Think
you
know
we
can
do
a
better
job
of
explaining
that.
So
we
certainly
want
to
see
what
we
can
do
in
that
regard,
and
then
the
elders
may.
B
It's
it's
a
state
program,
so
all
of
the
circuit
breaker
you
actually
apply
for
it
on
your
state
income
tax
form,
so
they're
responsible
for
all
the
brochures
we
and
everything
that
we
keep
those
available,
but
I
think
it's
important.
You
know
we
certainly
continue
to
remind
our
tax
payers
about
the
program
and
whatnot
and
again
that's
something
that
we've
been
talking
with
the
elderly
commission
about
in
terms
of
working
with
their
advocate
community,
to
make
sure
that
people
are.
B
C
D
D
B
I
think
that's
an
excellent
idea
for
especially
for
our
elderly
taxpayers.
The
other
things
I
wanted
to
mention
is
a
commissioner
Shea.
Is
you
know,
working
on
what's
being
referred
to
as
a
elderly
Commission
age-friendly
action
plan,
so
as
part
of
that
action
plan
sheets
you
met
with
us,
we
talked
about
taking
a
couple
of
steps
there
too.
That
will
help
out
our
elderly
taxpayers
up.
B
First,
we
haven't
adjusted
the
income
and
net
worth
limits
on
the
41t
program
since
2004,
and
while
we
haven't
exactly
had
runaway
inflation
in
those
years,
you
know
income
levels
are
up
across
the
city,
so
we
think
that
there
is
a
time
to
make
an
adjustment
in
some
of
those.
So
we
are
working
on
coming
up
with
some
numbers
there
and
getting
some
legislation
filed.
B
So
we
can
increase
those
so
they're
equitably,
reflecting
the
that
people's
incomes
are
higher
now
than
they
were
in
2004,
and
so
that
we're
we're
not
cutting
down
the
exemption
numbers
because
of
inflation.
People's
incomes.
We're
also
looking
at
increasing
the
work
boss,
credit
in
our
senior
work
off
program,
which
is
currently
set
at
a
thousand,
and
it
will
be
coming
to
you
folks
and
seeing
about
increasing
that
we're
thinking
that
fifteen
hundred
might
be
an
appropriate
number
and,
as
I
said,
as
I
mentioned.
C
Thank
you,
I
just
want
to
shift
gears
to
pilot,
and
last
year
we
spent
some
of
this
time
talking
about
some
of
our
nonprofit
property
owners
across
the
city
and
the
shortfall
between
what
they're
giving
and
what
we're
asking
for
when
it
comes
to
payment
lieu
of
taxes,
and
some
of
them
are
actually
giving
zero
into
the
into
the
pilot
fund
so
I'm.
Just
in
a.
We
also
went
back
and
sort
of
looked
at
the
data
from
that.
C
So
I'm
just
I'm
curious,
where
we
are
on
that
and
how
we
can
do
a
better
job
as
a
city
really
collecting
on
the
contributions
that
these
nonprofit
partners
make
to
the
city
as
their
footprints
continue
to
grow
in
the
city
and
they
take
property
off
of
the
roll,
so
sort
of
a
general
question
about
pilot,
but
then
also
very
curious
about
the
any.
If
we
have
analyzed
any
of
the
loss
of
revenue
as
these
nonprofit
institutions
take
property
tax,
paying
properties
off
of
the
rolls
sure.
B
So
you
know
two
important
points
about
the
pilot
program.
You
know
the
administration
remains
very
focused
on
it.
We
had
you
know.
Fiscal
16
is
the
most
recent
numbers
that
we
have
available.
We're
still,
you
know
collecting
the
money
for
fiscal
17,
but
if
this
sixteen
rereceive
32
point
1
million
dollars
in
cash
and
the
pilot
program,
so
that's
up
from
20
7.9
million
in
fiscal
15
the
previous
year.
In
addition
to
the
cash
there
were
50
point:
1
million
payment.
B
C
You
know
there
are
some,
you
know,
hospitals
are
paying,
93
percent
colleges
are
paying
51%
and
cultural
institutions
are
playing
paying
24
percent
right
of
what
their
commitment
is
to
the
city
of
Boston,
and
that
24
percent
is
probably
the
most
scary,
because
that
that
includes
institutions
that
are
paying
0
percent
of
what
their
commitments
are.
You
know
the
aquarium
I
see
a
Museum
of
Science,
the
Children's
Museum,
zero
percent
of
their
commitment
to
its
museum,
finr
7
percent
of
the
x-men
to
us
yep.
So.
B
You
know
we
search.
First
of
all,
we
continually
encourage
our
nonprofit
partners
to
pay
the
pilots
and
and
we're
out
there,
but
you
have
to
keep
in
mind
that
this
program
is
a
partnership
with
the
institutions
and
it's
also
voluntary,
so
there's
there's
no
requirement
that
they
pay
those
amounts
and
that's
something
that
we
struggle
with.
As
you,
as
you
mentioned
in
your
comments,
the
hospitals
have
had
a
very
high
participation
rate
and
continue
to
do
so.
We're
very
happy
with
that.
B
The
higher
ed
institutions,
it's
more
of
a
mixed
bag,
I
mean
we
have
some
institutions
that
are
really
stepping
up
to
the
plate
and
paying
others
that
are
lagging
behind
and
we're
continually
having
conversations
with
the
ones
that
are
lagging
behind,
and
then
the
culture
Institute
cultural
institutions.
Ever
since
we
rolled
out
the
new
program
in
fiscal
2012
that
historically
had
a
low
participation
rate
I
think
you
said
in
your
comments
that
they
went
from
90
percent
to
24
percent.
That's
we've
always
been
very
low
in
terms
of
their
91.
B
B
A
lot
of
them
have
been
actively
engaged
with
the
administration
in
terms
of
on
the
service
side
of
things
and
and
they
have
been
running
a
lot
of
programs
that
are
directed
specifically
to
Boston
residents
in
terms
of
museum
access,
educational
programs
with
schools
and
community
centers.
We
publish
all
of
that
information
on
our
website.
I
think
there
are
some
good
programs
there
so
well.
I
share
your
concern
in
terms
of
the
laughs
of
contribution
and
we're
still
having
those
conversations.
B
I
just
think
we
need
to
be
mindful
of
all
those
great
services
that
our
cultural
institution
partners
provide
some
more
than
others,
but
but
there's
some
really
good
stuff
there
and
when
I
look
at
community
services
in
the
pilot
program,
I
look
at
things
where
they're
doing
functions
that
maybe
we
would
like
to
do.
But
we
don't
have
the
resources
to
do,
or
maybe
we're
not
we're
not
really
great
at
doing
them.
In
some
of
the
educational
programs
that
I
know
the
aquarium
is
running.
B
Know
that
we,
the
law,
does
not
allow
us
to
require
that
they
keep
a
property
on
the
catch
role.
It's
actually
just
the
opposite.
If
an
exempt
institution
purposes
the
property
and
they
use
it
for
an
exempt
purpose
that
is
allowed
under
the
law,
we
are
required
to
exempt
them.
I
will
say,
however,
that
when
that
happens,
we
certainly
have
conversations
with
the
institutions
about
that
loss
of
revenue
and
the
impacts
that
shouldn't
you
know
potentially
have
on
their
private
payments
going
forward.
Thank.
E
E
E
Because
I,
just
echoing
councillor,
sabi
George's
point,
you
know
you
have
residents
so
I
think
don't
quite
understand
that
distinction
and
that
the
pilot
program
is
voluntary
because
we
cannot
require
them
legally
to
pay
us.
So
your
folks
saying
they
don't
pay
anything
and
we're
losing
as
a
result.
So
I
just
wanted
to
clarify
that.
E
So
if
anyone
ever
wanted
to
take
on
something
like
that-
and
of
course
the
people
can
take
on
whatever
they
like,
they
really
would
have
to
mobilize
at
the
Statehouse
for
something
to
change.
In
order
to
require
institutions
to
pay
the
city
for
properties
or
for
certain
thing,
specific
things
to
make
those
things
taxable
for
these
types
of
institutions.
Yet.
B
Our
thinking
on
this
has
been
that
you
know
we
have
to
recognize
what
how
important
the
exempt
institutions
are
is.
Sometimes
we
are
frustrated
with
them
in
our
neighborhoods,
but
at
the
same
time
our
hospitals
and
universities
and
our
culture
institutions
are
an
important
part
of
our
economic
success,
and
certainly
we
need
to
recognize
that
and
I
think.
The
other
thing
we
need
to
recognize
on
the
pilot
program
is
how
far
we've
come.
I
mean
we're
not
there,
yet.
B
This
is
very
much
a
work
in
progress
and
and
we're
committed
to
further
improvements
and
further
higher
participation
and
everything
else.
But
when
we
started
this
new
program
in
fiscal
12,
we
were
receiving
fifteen
million
dollars
a
year
in
pilot
payment,
so
we've
more
than
doubled
that
over
the
course
of
six
years,
which
is
significant-
and
there
is
no
other
city
in
the
country
that
is
even
close
to
us
in
terms
of
pilot
payments,
I
think
there
may
be
a
couple
that
have
a
few
million
dollars
in
pilot
payments.
B
But
the
fact
that
we're
getting
32
million
dollars
from
our
exempt
institutions
is
really
unprecedented
in
the
country.
So
again,
while
I
recognize
that
it's
a
huge
issue
for
us,
because
so
much
of
our
land
area
is
exempt
and
we
rely
so
heavily
on
that
property
tab
and
we
don't
have
an
income
and/or
sales
tax
where
we
need.
E
B
That
all
flows
to
the
state
and
I'm
sure
Dave
Sweeney
and
has
you
know,
told
you
about
our
state
aid
issues.
You
know
that
that's
a
problem
for
so
it's
an
important
program.
We
need
to
continue
to
grow
it,
but
we've
made
really
significant
strides
here
and
I
just
think.
Sometimes
we
need
to
make
sure
we
don't
lose
sight
of
that.
E
Thank
you
for
that,
and
my
follow-up
question
is
to
that:
has
there
been
any
efforts
to
truly
think
about
diversifying
our
tax
revenue
bases?
So
obviously,
property
tax
is
be
number
one,
but
looking
at
other
municipalities
across
the
country,
no
sales
tax
and
contact
and
curious
if
there
was
as
been
any
conversations
ever
about
that
in
the
state,
you
know
that's
how.
B
Would
the
city
horse
yep,
that's
happened,
done
I
think
a
regular,
a
fairly
regular
process
a
basis
over
time.
There
was
an
interesting
report,
Boston
bound
that
was
done
by
pull
of
Harvard
Law
School
professors
of
about
five
or
six
years
ago
that
contrasted
the
situation.
That
Boston
is
in
with
its
ability
to
get
new
revenue
structures
and
new
revenues
in
place
compared
to
like
the
new
york
and
the
chicago's
in
the
Denver's,
so
I
mean
I.
Think
it's
something
that
that
we
need
to
look
at.
B
You
know
it's
interesting
that
when
proposition
two-and-a-half
first
one
into
a
fact,
the
city
was
relying
on
the
property
tax
for
about
sixty
percent
of
its
revenues
mmm-hmm
and
then,
when
it
went
into
place,
revenue
property
tax
revenue,
reliance
actually
went
down,
is
state
aid
increased?
So
we
were
down
to
about
fifty
percent
and
now
today
we're
seventy
percent.
So
we
now
rely
on
the
property
tax
more
than
before,
proposition
two
and
a
half
1/2
so
and.
E
Point
that
you
bring
up
and
I
think
sometimes
it's
people
afraid
to
talk
about
taxes.
I
think
the
CPA
I
think
is
one
example
of
when
you
frame
the
issue
that
it's
not
just
about
attacks
and
leave.
What
folks
and
residents
are
getting
into
in
specific
terms,
straightforward
with
residents,
but
the
benefits
of
what
it
means
for
the
city
as
a
whole,
particularly
looking
not
just
short
term
but
long
term.
We
can
change
the
dynamic
of
the
conversation.
A
little
bit.
I
have
a
couple
of
two
more
questions.
E
One
is
actually
following
up
on
something
councillor:
sabi
George
raids,
which
was
the
discount
programs
for
residents
and
especially
our
seniors.
One
of
the
concerns
we
hear
often
is
for
some
of
the
existing
programs.
If
there
are
income
thresholds
for
these
programs,
a
lot
of
our
seniors
say:
I
don't
qualify
because
I
make
just
a
little
bit
too
much.
So
is
there
an
evaluation?
If
we
hear
from
a
substantial
amount
of
seniors
who
participate
in
particular
program
that
the
income
threshold
is
not
allowing
say
their
neighbors
to
participate?
E
B
So
so
the
program
limits
are
actually
established
in
state
statutes,
so
we
don't
have
any
direct
control
over
those.
But,
as
I
mentioned
to
the
counselor,
we
are
going
to
a
process
now
working
with
the
elderly
Commission
to
take
a
look
specifically
at
the
income
limits
there
on
the
41
C
program.
So
that's
the
program
that
is
targeted
towards
elderly
folks
with
limited
income
and.
D
B
Have
not
those
income
limits
have
not
been
updated
since
2004,
so
we
think
that
you
know
just
doing
some
inflation
adjusting
on
those
income
limits
would
be
helpful
and
would
allow
perhaps
more
of
our
seniors
to
qualify
for
those
programs.
So
we've
done
some
analysis
on
that
and
are
looking
to
see
if
there's
already
a
legislative
vehicle
up
at
the
C
house
that
maybe
we
can
jump
on
to
or
if
not,
either
do
a
Home
Rule
petition
or
file
some
legislation
next
year
to
make
some
adjustments
in
that
no.
E
That's
very
helpful
and
I
too,
would
love
to
see
the
copy
of
the
document.
You
reference
that
you
report
to
the
Department
of
Revenue
in
this
document
that
you
report
to
the
Department
of
Revenue.
Is
it
a
list
of
all
of
the
discount
programs
and
programs
you
provide
to
to
all
residents
in
the
city
of
Boston?
What's
that
breakdown?
Look
like
yes,.
D
E
B
E
B
E
B
B
I
think
we're
the
only
city
in
the
Commonwealth
and
I'm.
Aware
of
that.
Does
that
so
that
it
does
a
couple
things
number
one
it
it
gets
us
out
there
early
letting
people
apply.
We
send
a
reminder
if
they
don't
send
it
back
to
us
any
other
great
thing
about.
That
is
if
they
send
it
back
to
us,
we
can
actually
process
the
abatement.
Take
it
off
before
the
third
quarter.
Tax
bill
goes
out,
so
they
don't
have
to
pay
out
the
money
and
then
get
refund
later
so.
E
E
Okay,
what
other
discount
programs
exist
in
the
city
of
Boston
that
they
didn't
know
that
they
were
eligible
for,
and
so
the
some
of
the
many
of
the
departments
are
really
great
about
going
into
community,
not
only
giving
information
explaining
exactly
the
process
and
sometimes
doing
it
on
the
spot
in
terms
of
gathering
information.
So
it's
really
great
to
hear
that
you
guys
work
so
closely
with
the
elderly
Commission.
My
last
question
has
to
do
without
CPA,
when
we
can
start
to
order
sort
of
expect
to
receive
funds.
E
Obviously
we're
still
working
through
the
process
of
the
committee
and
what
that
will
all
look
like
so
I
imagine.
Funds
may
sit
somewhere
for
a
period
of
time,
but
if
you
could
talk
about
when
the
money
comes
in,
where
is
it
going
to
go?
Where
is
it's
going
to
sit
because
we're
going
to
be
having?
We
have
to
figure
out
a
lot
of
different
things
before
we
start
spending
that
money
anywhere
right?
Well,.
B
I
don't
know
if
I
can
tell
you
exactly
where
it's
going
to
sit,
but
it
won't
be
used
for
anything
until
the
committee's
form.
Okay,
but
I
think
it
is
important
to
say
that
the
assessing
department
is
working.
You
know
long
before
any
of
that
happens
there's.
Actually.
We
started
back
in
December
there's
a
lot
of
adjustments
that
need
to
be
made
in
our
collection,
software
and
whatnot.
B
For
that
so
there'll
be
a
presence
on
the
website.
They'll
be
an
insert
that
goes
into
the
first
quarter
tax
bill,
so
people
will
be
reminded
that
they
voted
for
this
and
and
what
it
means
and
where
the
money's
going
brochures
are
being
put
together.
So
we
want
to
make
sure
that
we're
ready
to
hit
the
ground
running
in
July
first
for
one
we're
sending
out
that
bill
for
the
first
time.
Well,.
E
That's
all
the
questions
I
had
Ron.
Thank
you.
Thank
you.
Thank
you
to
your
team,
especially
when
it
comes
to
the
CPA
in
the
process
of
just
answering
all
our
questions
when
it
came
to
getting
out
into
community
and
convincing
residents
that
this
was
something
that
was
great
for
the
city.
Your
office
was
invaluable
to
that.
So
thank
you
very
much
and
thanks
for
your
team
for
all
you
do.
Thank
you.
Thank
You,
councillor,
O'meara.
F
Thank
You
mr.
chair
and
I,
just
like
to
say
thank
you
councillor,
Campbell
for
your
leadership
in
passing
the
CPA
that
you
tackled
in
your
first
term,
and
it
was
among
the
few
high
points
of
an
otherwise
dreary
election
day.
In
my
opinion,
commissioner,
I
never
missed
this
hearing
for
a
number
of
reasons,
not
the
least
of
which
is
I,
think
you
serve
one
of
the
most
important
roles
in
this
city
and
you
serve
with
honor
with
distinction.
How
many
years
have
you
been
with
the
city
now
Oh
counselor.
B
F
F
Made
yeah
okay
that'll
be
like
I
will
give
you
it
will
give
you
a
extra
padded
chair
of
your
next
one
is
on
a
golden
golden
microphone,
but
up
no
Commission
honestly
usually
serve
so
well.
You
serve
such
an
important
role.
Your
team's
amazing
I
wanted
to
give
special
props
to
Lara's
burg,
who
is
just
attentive
and
professional,
and
these
are
very
sensitive
questions
of
all
of
the
constituent
services
that
we
deal
with
oftentimes.
F
These
are
personal
and
sensitive
questions
that
we
hope
to
help
our
constituents
navigate
and
your
team's
just
been
terrific
I
can't
say
enough
good
things.
Thank
you
for
your
service,
a
couple
of
quick
questions.
You
know,
we've
talked
about
pilot
and
I
appreciate
your
comments.
This
is
something
that
the
city
has
been
grappling
with
from
your
first
day.
You
know
31
years
ago,
and
certainly
in
my
seven
years
we've
been
dealing
with
it.
It
has
gotten
a
lot
better,
but
we
still
have
room
for
improvement.
So
I
guess
my
question
is:
do
you
have
a.m.
F
B
F
B
B
F
B
There's
a
difference:
if
it's
a,
if
it's
just
a
cafeteria,
that's
really
here
to
serve
the
institutional
users,
then
it
would
be
exempt.
But
in
a
situation
we
have
one
in
the
public
library
here
at
Boylston
Street,
where
there's
a
restaurant
there,
and
that
we
have
carved
out
a
part
of
the
public
library
and
are
actually
assessing
attacks
to
the
lessee
of
that
good.
F
Good
good
and
I
guess
what
are
some
strategies?
I?
Think
it's
those
31
out
of
31
32
million
dollars.
It
should
be
collected
for
this
calendar
year.
What
are
some
others
for
this
fiscal
year?
What
are
the
strategies
to,
and
that's
very
good
and
that's
that's
an
all-time
high
as
I
in
it,
but
it's
still
just
over
half
of
what
we
are
suggesting.
So
what
are
some
of
the
strategies
to
grow?
That
55%
number
well.
B
I
think
you
know
part
of
the
strategy
has,
but
we
still
send
out
notices
we're
for
the
institutions
that
aren't
paying.
We
don't
meet
with
them,
find
out
what
the
issues
are.
I
think
one
of
the
most
important
things
that
we've
ever
done
in
the
program
is
publish
the
results
on
the
website.
I
think
you
know,
transparency
I
think
has
been
very
important
to
the
program
and
four
folks
will
be
able
to
see
which
institutions
are
paying
which
ones
aren't
I.
B
Think
that's
been
important
to
us
and
we're
going
to
continue
to
do
that,
but,
and
also
it's
not
just
a
stick.
It's
also
a
carrot
because
we
also
all
the
services
that
are
provided.
We
try
to
get
all
the
information,
that's
the
institution's
private
list
and
we
also
try
to
get
those
out
on
the
website.
So
residents
can
also
see
the
the
services
that
institutions
they're
providing
directly
and
I
guess.
The
last
thing
is
that
that
that
service
issue
is
an
important
one.
B
When,
when
we
talk
with
institutions,
a
lot
of
them
want
to
participate
in
the
pilot
program,
they
understand
what
our
concerns
are.
In
terms
of
you
know
these
institutions,
they
do
great
things.
Unfortunately,
a
lot
of
the
benefits
of
the
institutions
go
beyond
the
city's
borders
to
the
country
to
the
world
yeah,
and
yet
it's
Boston
that
absorbs
the
cost
of
the
tax
exemption
yeah.
So
that's
what
we're
always
trying
to
sensitize
them
to
do.
F
B
As
I
said
to
councillor
Campbell,
our
program
is
by
far
the
largest
and
the
most
successful
there's
nobody
else,
that's
even
a
close
second
in
terms
of
the
amount
of
revenue
and
when
you
think
about
it,
it's
you
know:
Boston
relies
heavily
on
the
property
tax
number
one.
So
we're
really
unique
on
longer.
B
F
B
F
In
your
oil
I
think
you're
right,
I
am
I
met
with
former
city
councilor
Larry
dakara,
who
all
of
us
know.
Yesterday
we
were
sort
of
talking
about
budgets
and
then
he
was
you
know.
He
follows
is
still
very
closely
and
I
told
him
that
in
this
year's
budget,
where
70%
of
our
revenue
is
drawn
from
property
tax-
and
he
said
when
he
was
first
elected
1970s-
that
was
the
number
and
then
when
prop
two-and-a-half
happened,
it
went
down
to
the
50%.
F
F
We
all
deal
in
our
districts
with
a
number
of
problem
properties.
That's
it
empty.
That's
it
vacant
fewer
now
than
probably
five
years
ago,
because
property
is
so
valuable,
but
still
I
can
think
of
four
very,
very
close
to
my
house
that
have
sat
empty
one
of
the
first
things
we
do
when
we
get
complaints
is
check
with
your
office
to
make
sure
the
taxes
are
paid
up.
They
oftentimes
are
I,
can
think
of
some
of
these
houses
that
have
sat
empty
for
10
years
or
more.
F
B
D
B
Constitution
now,
whether
or
not
there
could
be
a
fine
or
a
fee
if
it's
abandoned
or
something
like
that,
that
would
be
a
different
matter,
but
for
the
tax
itself,
if,
if
we
added
any
any
value
to
it
or
whatnot,
that
would
likely
run
our
eye
of
the
constitutional
restrictions
that
were
under
side
I.
Don't
think
that
now.
F
B
B
And
tiles
is
going
to
be
part
of
that.
So
you
know
Verizon
really
just
started
rolling
that
out
this
calendar
year,
so
for
fiscal
18,
we're
looking
at
the
growth
to
the
tax
base
that
took
place
in
calendar
year
16,
so
none
of
that
will
really
be
built
in.
But
when
we
get
to
fiscal
19,
I'm
sure
Verizon
will
have
additional
property
that
they've
installed
and
that
will
be
taxable
so
well.
That.
F
C
B
Oh
you're,
taking
good
notes.
Actually,
the
Renaissance
Hotel
is
I'm
a
sport
property.
It
started
out
as
a
121
a
but
actually
this
fiscal
year
for
fiscal
18.
There's
this
coming
fiscal
year.
It
will
the
121
a
status
will
be
ending,
actually
I
think
it
may
have
already
ended
so
that
it
will
be
taxable
as
real
estate
taxes
in
fiscal
18.
B
B
So
but
they
do
pay
the
pilot
all
right
as
to
reflect
that
over
in
South
Boston
in
the
Commonwealth
flats
area
any
lessee
over
there.
We
can't
act.
So
when
you
look
at
the
World
Trade
Center
Renaissance
Hotel,
the
neighboring
apartment
building,
all
of
that
that's
built
on
Massport
property.
We
can't
act
the
lessees
of
those
properties
as
if
they
owned
them.
So
we
are
not
losing
it
there.
When
you
get
to
East,
Boston
and
Charlestown
and
a
sporting
it
will
be
more
complicated.
B
B
There's
a
few
things.
There's
an
office
building
over
in
Charlestown
Constitution
Plaza,
nothing
to
do
with
the
operation
of
the
port
of
the
airport
that
we
cannot
tax
that
lessee,
because
if
that
property
was
formerly
owned
by
the
US
Navy,
so
it
wasn't
taxable
before
so.
We
can't
tax
that
lessee.
So
you
know:
we've
had
legislation
that
we
filed
to
address
some
of
those
issues
there.
B
C
Then
my
last
question
is
one
of
my
staff.
Members
was
looking
at
the
millenium
power
and
just
because
there
was
a
lot
of
interest
around
the
largest
condo
sales,
35
million
dollars
to
the
penthouse
suite,
and
that
how
the
tower
had
more
5
million
dollar
sales
in
the
entire
Boston
condo
market.
But
when
we
go
to
look
at
what
the
property
tax
revenue
is
from
that
property
on
the
website,
we
can't
find
them
because,
as
if
none
has
been
paid,
oh.
B
It's
been
paid
so
remember
with
the
property
tax.
The
the
lien
date
is
always
a
year
back.
So
when
you
look
at
fiscal
17
on
the
website,
we're
actually
looking
at
properties
in
the
way
they
existed
as
of
1
116,
okay,
okay,
so
for
fiscal
18,
we're
at
1
117
and
just
as
the
Millennium
condos
were
under
construction.
There
is
a
separate
parcel
where
the
that
reflects
the
partially
completed
millennium
tower,
but
for
fiscal
18.
The
condos
were
created
before
the
start
of
the
fiscal
year.
B
So
as
a
result
they
out
when
they
go
online
next
year,
they
will
actually
see
the
condos
that
were
reported
on
the
website
and
individually
assessed
for
the
first
time,
so
that
that
will
be
a
source
of
growth
for
us
for
fiscal
18.
Again
it's
coming
on
at
the
residential
rate,
instead
of
the
commercial
rate.
So
not,
but
it's
still
going
to
be
a
pretty
substantial
number
very.
A
G
G
D
B
B
Well,
actually,
that's
an
interesting
question,
so
we
the
41
a
tax
deferral
program,
which
is
the
one
that
we've
had
in
place
for
a
number
of
years.
You
have
to
be
65
or
older
to
qualify
for
that
in
there.
You
know
we
continue
to
do
outreach
on
that
and
encourage
some
of
our
seniors
to
participate,
but
a
lot
of
them
are
just
reluctant
to
do
so
because
and
I
think
it's
primarily
because
they
want
to
be
able
to
leave
the
property
to
the
errors.
Yeah,
unencumbered
and.
B
B
B
B
Year,
correct
right
and
and
that
yet
we
passed
it
and
unfortunately
up
at
the
State
House
it
didn't
get
passed
until
after
we
sent
out
the
caps
bills
for
the
third
quarter.
So
we've
had
it
out
there
and
we
put
some
material
together
for
it.
But
we
haven't
been
able
to
do
the
amount
of
outreach
that
we
were
nearly
would
have
been
able
to
head
it
and
we
had
it
in
place
to
begin
a
year,
but
that's
available
to
people
who
are
55
years
of
age,
also
a
deferral
program.
G
B
Because
of
of
what's
happening
in
the
real
estate
market,
we
again
give
them
a
chance,
use
the
equity
in
their
home
to
help
offset
some
of
those
tax
increases,
so
the
programs
in
place.
Now
the
timing
was
a
little
bit
off
for
fiscal
17,
but
we'll
certainly
make
sure
that's
part
of
our
our
relief
options
as
we
go
forward
and
fiscal
18
and
beyond.
Okay.
G
And
what
about
the
the
abatement
that
people
can
apply
for
us
in
front
of
us
now
that
I'm
like,
if
you
buy
in
January
February,
are
not
eligible
for
that?
Can
you
maybe
explain
what
like
how
many
units,
or
how
many,
how
many
you
know
how
many
people
like
missed
out
on
that?
How
many
do
you
think
will
like
just
explain
who
do
you
think,
is
kind
of
benefit
from
it?
How
many?
How
many
like
last
year
tried
to
do
it
more
unable
to
right.
B
B
So
they
may
have
to
wait
15
months
to
get
the
benefit
of
the
exemption.
It's
not
a
huge
number,
because
the
most
typical
situation
is
I
own
I
own,
a
single-family
house
I
get
the
residential
exemption.
I
sell
it
to
you,
so
you're
going
to
get
the
benefit
of
my
residential
exemption
for
the
first
year
and
then
you'll
apply
for
it
in
your
own
right
the
second
year.
But
there
are
situations
where,
if
you
buy
it
from
an
investor
who
did
not
buy
the
property
and
they
weren't
receiving
the
residential
exemption,
those
are
the
situation.
B
Under
the
Home
Rule
petition
that
the
council
passed,
it
will
allow
us
to
extend
that
time
for
those
new
homeowners
to
July
1st
mm-hmm,
okay.
So
anybody
who
buys
that
property
in
January
first
in
July,
first
the
beginning
of
the
fiscal
year,
we
will
still
allow
them
to
apply
and
they
will
still
qualify
for
the
exemption.
For
that
immediate.
G
You
were
just
Anissa,
you
were
always
Anissa.
Can
I
call
you
a
counselor
Anissa,
so
counselor
Anissa
was
that's
what
it
is
so
so
she
was
asking
a
bit
about
the
the
old
Filene's
tower
millennium
down
there.
So
what
exactly
cause
a
lot
of
talk
about,
what
the
benefit
or
for
the
new
building
is
going
to
be
yearly?
What
is
what
is
our
benefit?
What
are
we
realizing
now
from
that
building
and
in
just
taxes
coming
to
you
so.
B
Family
in
the
residential
piece,
the
the
retail
that's
on
the
street
level
and
then
the
office
space
that
they
have
that
which
is
in
the
old
Filene's
building
those
are
covered
by
121
B
agreement.
So
we
still
get
a
pilot
payment
for
those
yeah
and
if
you'd
like
I,
can
get
to
those
numbers
on
those.
But
those
are
also
growing.
As
time
goes.
Yeah.
B
They
were
also
structured
in
a
way
where
they
gave
a
lot
of
relief
to
the
property
owner
when
the
property
was
being
constructed
yeah,
but
they
also
ramp
up
pretty
quickly.
So
when
you
get
to
the
later
years
of
that
121
in
the
agreement,
it's
good
to
actually
be
pretty
close
to
what
they
would
have
paid
in
property.
So.
G
B
B
Towers
Mount
Millennium
South
Tower,
so
that
allowed
us
to
use
that
that
tool
and
that
in
that
instance,
but
it's
really
driven
by
need
I
mean
in
you
know,
in
more
recent
years,
as
the
real
estate
market
has
heated
up,
and
you
know
we
really
haven't
done
much
in
the
way
of
tax
incentives
and
haven't
needed
to
to
aid
development.
You
know
we
look
at
millennium
tower
now
and
see
how
successful
it
was.
G
B
G
B
121
B
but
they're,
you
know
there
are
other
tax
incentive
programs
again.
You
know
you
really
have
to
look
at
what
the
risks
are
to
the
developer
and
the
project
support
itself
without
a
persistence,
because
we
we
give
out
tax
incentives
as
a
last
resort
yeah.
You
know,
since
we
rely
so
heavily
on
the
property
tax,
we
need
that
growth
revenue
to
pay
the
bills
around.
G
A
Just
want
to
follow
up
on
a
question
that
Frank
Baker
asked
about
the
tax
deferral
program.
If
you
see
a
senior
and
I'm
assuming
you
have
great
staff
by
the
way,
including
I,
want
to
give
a
special
recognition
to
the
Vanessa
weathers
who's
helped
me
and
us.
You
know,
with
a
couple
of
abatement
issues
on
nonprofits
that
have
these
profit
centers
in
them,
and
doing
great
work
and
I
appreciate
it.
If
somebody
sees
an
elderly
person
right
falling
behind
and
their
tax
is
like
dude,
we
app
proactively
to
say,
you're,
not
paying
your
taxes.
A
A
A
A
A
Just
curious,
you
know
with
the
explosion
of
special,
especially
these
past
few
years.
We
did
a
lot
of
forecasting
back
then
do
we
know
if
we're
you
know
at
those
forecasts
or
falling
short
or
exceeding
them
at
this
point,
because
I
think
you
know
that
we
all
grappled
with
giving
big
corporations
tax
breaks
right,
but
at
that
time
I
think
it
was
almost
unanimous,
if
not
unanimous
tit.
That
was,
you
know
again
a
cost-benefit
analysis.
B
B
Is
now
employment
is
the
other
thing
that
we
looked
at
they
they
committed
I
believe
to
an
additional
500
jobs.
They
fought
and
they've
met
that
commitment
earlier
than
they
needed
to
and
maintained
it
over
time
and
actually
thrown
it
beyond,
but
they
report
to
us
in
to
the
state
each
one
every
year,
their
employment
level.
So
that's
something
again
that
that's
monitored
regularly
and
then
the
other
thing
is
the
tapped.
Revenues
that
we're
getting
even
with
the
different
place
are
in
excess
of
what
we
had
estimated
just
because
and.
A
G
One
quick
question:
Ron
I,
still
have
some
abandoned
buildings
in
my
in
my
in
my
district.
Is
there
any
way?
Can
you
think
of
any
way
for
us
to
maybe
put
more
pressure
on
the
people
that
own
those
buildings
and,
of
course,
everyone's
different,
some
may
be
probate.
Some
may
be
taxes.
Is
there
anything
that
that
that
we
could
be
doing
that?
That
would
maybe
help
to
move
those
those
buildings
I
mean
I,
have
a
couple
buildings
up
by
Roland
Park
that
have
been
in
one
went
on
fire
just
over
the
weekend.
B
I
mean
we
had
that
conversation
a
little
bit
with
sounds
Laurel
Malley
I
mean
it
from
a
tax
perspective,
it's
difficult,
because
the
Constitution
requires
us
to
value
properties
that
they're
fair
cash
value.
So
if
we
try
to
do
anything
above
and
beyond
that,
even
if
we
do
a
statute,
it
would
be
ruled
unconstitutional.
So
we
don't
have
a
lot
of
leverage
there
and
so.
B
If
or
let's
say,
we
try
to
assess
them
for
more
than
they
were
worth
as
a
disincentive
to
keep
them
abandoned,
that
that
would
run
a
follow
the
Constitution.
So
you
know
that
really
kind
of
limits
us
there
and
a
lot
of
times
because
of
that
high
interest
rate
that
we
have
on
unpaid
taxes
a
lot
of
times,
even
if
it's
like
a
bank
owned
property
or
something
like
that,
they
will
pay
the
taxes
because
they
don't
want
to
pay
the
city
fourteen
or
sixteen
percent
interest.
So
it's
okay.
B
A
A
You
know,
I
think
that
it's
very
hard
to
enforce
it,
but
if
they're
paying
their
taxes,
like
you
said,
there's
really
not
much.
We
can
do
all
I
would
say
if
this
gives
you
any
comfort
like
this
three
more
than
three
but
three.
Currently
that
have
been
a
bit
abandoned
and
vacant
in
my
neighborhood
one
for
40
years
of
burnt
out
cycle
40
years
40
well,.
A
Years
it
was
burnt
out
left
is
a
big
eyesore
parking
lot.
For
you
know,
commercial
vehicles
that
is
almost
finished
will
be
on
the
tax
rolls
soon.
Black
&
Decker
on
market
Birmingham,
Parkway
vacant
abandoned
for
15
years
135
units
of
going
there
and
another
abandoned
parcel
that
someone
just
bought.
Finally,
that
was
30
years.
Yeah
boarded
up,
you
know
just
ya.