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From YouTube: Committee on Ways & Means on February 5, 2021
Description
Docket #1064 - Hearing to discuss property taxes and assistance programs for seniors & long-term residents facing difficulties during COVID-19
A
A
Okay,
I
think
we're
gonna
get
going
we're
hoping
to
be
joined
by
the
municipal
research
bureau,
but
I
will
hope
that
they
will
arrive
in
the
process.
A
A
A
A
It's
been
filed
by
councillor
flynn
and
we're
expecting
to
hear
today
from
commissioner
nicholas
ironella
who's
our
commissioner
of
the
assessing
department,
also
from
pam
coker
from
the
boston
municipal
research
bureau
and
before
we
turn
to
the
panelists.
I
want
to
recognize
my
colleagues
and
give
them
an
opportunity
to
say
an
opening
word.
So
hi
we've
been
joined
here
today,
of
course
by
the
sponsor
counselor
ed
flynn,
from
district
two
also
counselor
andrea
campbell
from
district
four
counselor,
michael
flaherty
at
large
and
counselor
liz
braden
from
district
nine,
so
counselor
flynn.
C
Thank
you,
council
block,
thank
you,
chairwoman,
bark
for
holding
this
hearing
and
the
panelists
for
being
here
today.
More
importantly,
I
also
want
to
thank
so
many
neighbors
who
contacted
me
regarding
this
critical
issue,
impacting
so
many
middle
class
working
families
in
our
city,
including
our
seniors.
C
C
These
are
working
families
who
brought
their
homes
decades
ago.
Well,
before
property
values
skyrocketed,
they
are
not
wealthy
and
some
are
facing
significant
challenges
in
paying
an
additional
four
thousand
five
thousand,
or
even
six
thousand
more
this
year
with
significant,
less
disposable
income.
I
I
am
also
concerned
about
the
potential
ripple
effect
of
this
tax
increase
to
our
local
economy.
At
a
time
when
we
are
also
encouraging
neighbors
to
please
do
everything
they
can
to
support
our
neighborhood
restaurants
that
are
being
hard
hit
by
this
pandemic.
C
I
fear
that
the
timing
of
this
increase
could
also
have
a
devastating
impact
on
our
small
businesses,
the
lifeblood
of
our
economy.
I
thank
commissioner
aronello
for
his
professionalism
in
the
hard
work
he
and
his
staff
at
the
assessing
department
are
doing
to
help
our
residents
navigate.
What
programs
that
are
currently
they
may
currently
qualify
for,
such
as
tax
abatements,
the
residential
exemption,
personal
exemption
for
our
seniors
and
disabled
veterans,
blind
neighbors,
surviving
spouses,
as
well
as
tax
deferral
programs,
that
I
hope
we
can
also
discuss
today.
C
I'll
I'll
be
I'll
be
very
brief.
Here,
due
to
the
ongoing
covet
19,
we
should
look
to
pause
any
further
property
tax
increase
for
the
duration
of
this
pandemic.
It
is
my
understanding
that
the
city
was
looking
to
explore
that
further
as
well
at
one
time
as
many
of
our
seniors
are
facing
financial
hardships
because
of
covert
the
city
of
boston
should
also
continue.
Consider
potentially
doubling
the
elderly
exemption
for
seniors
over
a
certain
age.
C
We
should
explore
increasing
residential
exemptions.
We
should
look
at
creating
an
exemption
for
long
time,
residents
55
years
and
older,
that
have
owned
their
homes
for
over
20
years,
provided
that
they
meet
income
in
other
relevant
criteria.
I
would
like
to
take
a
moment
to
acknowledge
the
many
long-time
neighbors
who
own
a
triple
decker
and
rent
out
a
floor,
auto
at
reduced
price
and
reduce
rents
to
their
neighbors,
so
that
they
can
remain
in
boston.
C
They
could
easily
rent
to
the
highest
bid
up,
but
they
choose
not
to
and
will
unfortunately
face
an
additional
burden
for
doing
so
I've.
I
realize
this
is
a
personal
decision,
but
we
talk
a
lot
about
affordable
housing.
I
think
we
should
also
acknowledge
these
neighbors
who
contribute
a
lot
to
affordable
housing
in
our
city
without
any
fanfare,
they
have
done
the
right
thing
as
their
brother's
keeper.
Again.
Thank
you.
Councillor,
bark,
the
panelist
commissioner
aaronello
and
your
staff
they're
very
dedicated,
very
professional
in
my
neighbors
central
staff
as
well.
They
do
a
tremendous
job.
A
Thank
you
so
much
councillor
flynn
next
up
will
be
councillor
campbell
and
then
counselor
flaherty,
councillor,
braden
and
we've
been
joined
as
well
by
councillor
julia
mejia
at
large,
councilor
campbell.
D
Thank
you,
councilor
bach,
and
thank
you
councillor
flynn
for
your
leadership
on
this
very
important
and
timely
issue.
Thank
you
also
to
counselor,
edwards
and,
and
you,
madam
chair,
for
your
past
work
on
this
issue
as
well.
D
At
this
moment
in
time
at
a
minimum,
I
would
have
expected
the
city
to
at
least
have
informed
residents
that
this
was
coming
before
they
got
their
bill
and
assigned
points
of
contact
for
folks
to
follow
up
regarding
abatements
application
processes
and
deadlines
and
other
relief.
They
could
access,
especially
to
assist
our
seniors,
who
so
many
of
course
live
on
fixed
incomes.
I'm
absolutely
looking
forward
to
this
hearing
to
discuss
specific
and
immediate
relief.
We
can
offer
our
residents
during
this
crisis.
D
I
appreciate
counselor
flynn
laying
out
some
specifics
and
his
opening
remarks
and
also
look
forward
to
discussing
you
know
how
we
might
pause
and
increase
during
the
pandemic,
how
we
might
double
that
exemption
for
for
seniors
or
increase
the
residential
exemption
or
create
one
for
long
time
residents.
I
think
all
incredible
ideas
I
will
add.
D
I
think
we
also
have
to
think
about
how
we
simplify
the
processes
and
applications
that
folks
have
to
do
in
order
to
receive
these
benefits
and-
and
these
in
this
relief,
many
folks
do
not
have
access
to
the
internet.
Many
folks,
of
course,
do
not
speak
english
as
a
first
language,
but
need
relief
now
and
so
really
looking
forward
to
discussing.
D
How
do
we
reach
those
harder
to
reach
residents
who
have
major
concerns
around
their
current
tax
bill
and
their
inability
to
pay
that
we
obviously
want
to
support
all
of
our
residents
during
this
crisis
in
this
public
health
crisis?
I
of
course
also
want
to
thank
the
panelists
today
for
the
work
they
do
every
single
day
for
fielding
my
team
and
in
the
calls
we've
we
in
the
constituents
we've
sent
your
way.
Thank
you
for
the
feedback.
I
also
want
to
thank
central
staff
and
looking
forward
to
the
hearing.
Thank
you,
council
bach,.
A
Thank
you
so
much
councilor
campbell
councillor,
flaherty.
E
Good
morning
and
thank
you,
madam
chair,
for
for
hosting
this
morning
and
for
our
colleague
council
flynn
for
sponsoring
my
colleagues
for
attending
and
also
to
the
commissioner,
I
know
he
attended
a
hot
and
heated
meeting
a
couple
weeks
ago
with
council
flynn,
and
I-
and
so
I
appreciate
his
attention
to
detail
on
this,
and
the
timing
is
never
good.
I
concur
wholeheartedly
with
the
lead
sponsor,
as
mentioned
in
his
opening
with
every
single
remark.
E
I
think
it
was
to
protect
the
middle
class
and
to
keep
the
middle
class
and
what
we're
seeing
now
is
boston
has
been
manhattanized,
we're
becoming
the
city
of
the
very
rich
and
the
very
poor
and
the
middle
class
are
being
squeezed
out,
and
this
just
there's
one
more
reason
why
people
will
pick
up
and
leave
the
city
and
they'll
be
an
absolute
travesty.
So
not
sure
what
can
be
done
at
the
city
level
to
reverse
the
decision.
E
That
was
made
first
and
foremost
or
maybe
at
the
very
least,
put
it
off
until
after
people
can
get
their
legs
underneath
them
and
get
back
to
work
and
get
their
families
and
their
their
investments
situated
first
and
foremost,
and
then
go
from
there.
E
So
I'd
like
to
get
those
thoughts
as
to
why
now
and
why
we
can't
put
it
off
or
can
we
get
some
type
of
special
exemption
in
the
meantime,
in
partnership
with
the
state
to
kick
this,
can
down
the
road
and
or
go
back
to
the
drawing
board
and
have
a
formula
that's
more
fair
and
more
accurate
as
to
what's
actually
happening
in
the
neighborhoods.
It's
council
flynn
alluded
to,
particularly
with
outside
of
investment.
E
You
know
we
want
to
move
our
city
forward
and
we
want
constituents
particularly
neighbors
and
abutters,
to
support
growth
and
development,
but
if
the,
if
the
message
is
going
to
be,
you
know
a
couple
of
days
down
down
a
couple
years
down
the
road
you're
going
to
get
walloped
with
an
increased
tax
bill
through
no
fault
of
your
own,
based
on
what's
happening
around
your
property,
not
your
property.
I
think
we
have
to
reevaluate
the
criteria
and
the
formula
that
that
will
put
forward
here.
E
So
that's
my
two
cents
on
it
look
forward
to
this
hearing
and
again
I
appreciate
madam
cheer
calling
for
a
meeting
in
the
morning
and
and
and
for
commissioner
for
participating.
Thank
you.
A
Thank
you,
counselor
flaherty.
Next
up
is
councillor
braden,
then
it'll
be
councillor
mejia
and
we've
also
been
joined
by
councillor
lydia
edwards
from
district
1.
councillor
braden.
F
Thank
you,
madam
chair,
and
thank
you
to
the
councillor
flynn
for
bringing
this
very,
very
important
issue
up.
I
think
I
want
to
echo
the
sentiments
and
statements
of
my
my
colleagues.
Our
elders
especially,
are
feeling
under
a
lot
of
pressure
due
to
this
increase
in
real
estate
taxes.
They
live
on.
Many
of
them
live
on
a
fixed,
fixed
income.
They
don't
have
the
ability
just
to
find
money
out
of
the
air
to
pay
an
increased
tax
tax,
real
estate
tax.
F
So
I
also
feel
you
know
this
is
not
the
time
or
the
place.
We're
focused
on
just
the
immediate
to
see
if
there's
any
immediate
remedies
to
this
issue,
but
I
think
we
need
to
have
a
broader
conversation
about
housing
for
our
elders,
who
maybe
are
living
in
in
larger
homes
than
they
than
they
need,
and
but
they
want
to
stay
in
their
neighborhoods
and
we're
not
making
any
we're
not
really
planning
to
have
them
stay
in
their
neighborhoods.
So
that's
a
whole
other
conversation
I'd
like
to
have
on
another
day.
F
G
Okay,
so
thank
you
to
the
chair
and
to
the
sponsors
for
calling
this
hearing.
I'm
really
excited
to
to
join
you
all.
Today.
You
know,
as
the
first
person
in
my
family,
to
purchase
a
house,
I
know
how
incredibly
important
it
is
to
be
able
to
keep
up
with
your
taxes
and
having
very
little
education
on
how
you
go
about
doing.
G
That
is
something
that
I'm
also
looking
into
in
terms
of
how
do
we
educate
the
public
about
all
of
this,
but
I
just
wanted
to
just
say
that
our
office
sat
in
a
city
point
neighborhood
association
meeting
and
that
we're
really
looking
forward
to
finding
ways
to
offer
greater
assistance
to
seniors
long-term
homeowners
and
other
people
who
are
facing
a
budget
crunch,
especially
during
cobit
19..
G
We
learned
that
so
many
of
our
residents
are
completely
caught
off
guard
with
these
property
taxes
increase.
This
is
an
issue
of
information
justice,
which
is
one
of
the
things
that
we
talk
a
lot
about
what
people
know
and
how
are
we
going
to
go
about
educating
them?
One
of
the
other
things
that
I
want
to
highlight
is
that
we
learn
during
the
and
a
meeting
is
that
exemptions
cannot
be
combined.
So
if
you,
if
you
are
a
veteran
and
you
are
elderly,
you
are
not
able
to
receive
both
exemptions.
A
H
Thank
you
very
much.
I
appreciate
this
opportunity
to
briefly
just
again
thank
councillor
flynn
on
and
in
his
partnership
previously
for
helping
to
make
sure
we
provided
payment
plan
and
interest
tax
relief
for
seniors,
but
I
also
wanted
to
also
acknowledge
yes,
that
I
got
a
lot
of
calls
as
well
from
many
of
my
constituents
concerned,
feeling
that
there
was
a
disconnect
and
who
is
seems
to
be
burdened
in
this
moment.
H
I
also
think
that
it's
time
for
the
city
to
really
ask
ourselves
how
creative
we're
being
in
the
partnership
we
bring
to
the
table
to
help
our
seniors.
Specifically,
you
know
specifically.
I
would
I
think,
we've
been
talking
about
this
and
dancing
around
this
and
we've
been
trying
to
push
on
this.
H
I
think
we
need
to
be
talking
about
pilot
payments
and
we
need
to
be
talking
about
our
nonprofits
contributing
amounts
that
we
need
in
order,
especially
if
we
wanted
to
streamline
or
make
sure
that
they're
at
the
table
to
help
our
seniors
there's
got
to
be
a
balanced
way
to
bring
them
to
the
table,
to
provide
relief
to
our
seniors
and
also
to
analyze
how
we
are
generating
income.
H
This
is
a
complicated
conversation
and
it
only
is
more
complicated
because
of
the
covid
crisis
that
we're
in
and
the
limited
income
that
a
lot
of
people
are
able
to
get
and
generate.
At
this
moment,
we've
talked
about
this
at
the
30
000
foot
level,
but
as
a
city,
you
know,
with
70
percent
of
our
income
being
property
tax
related.
A
A
G
I
appreciate
you
letting
me
finish
my
thoughts
up
in
here.
Let
me
see
where
I
was,
because
everything
is
not
working
right
now,
yeah,
so
I
mean
I
guess.
The
point
that
I
was
really
trying
to
make
is
the
fact
that
you
can't
combine
the
exception.
So
if
you're
a
veteran
and
an
elder,
you
won't
be
able
to
receive
both
exceptions
and
as
a
city,
we
need
to
be
doing
more
about
being
intentional
by
understanding
the
intersectionality
and
everything
that
we
do
and
in
light
of
covet
19
pandemic.
A
Great,
thank
you
so
much
councillor
mejia
and
to
all
the
counselors
who
are
here
today
for
my
comments
I
just
want
to.
A
I
mean
certainly
echo
what
a
lot
of
folks
have
said
about
the
frustration
for
our
for
our
constituents,
and
I
think
that,
and
especially
that
element
of
surprise
and
one
of
the
things
that
I've
heard
from
constituents
is
also
that,
when
the
amount
goes
up
significantly,
if
paying,
that
significant
increase
is
all
on
the
back
two
payments
of
the
year,
it
can
really
be
hard
for
folks
who
are
budgeting
and
so
also
trying
to
think
about
how
do
we?
A
How
do
we
message
anticipated
increases
in
ways
that
let
people
plan
better
for
them?
Is
it's
not
the
whole
puzzle,
but
it's
a
piece
of
it
here.
The
thing
I
I
want
to
say
before
before
we
go
to
the
commissioner
is
just
that.
A
What
I
have
found
digging
into
this
problem-
and
it's
been
alluded
to
a
few
times
by
counselors-
is
that
the
way
that
our
property
taxes
are
assessed
and
the
exemptions
that
we
have
available
are
almost
entirely
dictated
by
state
law,
and
I
think
that
that's
a
frustrating
thing
for
our
constituents
to
hear-
and
it's
frustrating
for
us
when
we're
trying
to
come
up
with
tailored
solutions
and
one
of
the
biggest
challenges
is
that
the
the
state
law
doesn't
necessarily
let
us
distinguish
between
kind
of
some
of
these
most
hurt
populations
and
like
big
corporate
landlords
and-
and
that's
really,
the
distinction
that
we're
all
trying
to
make
here
is
is
how
do
we
keep
our
long-term
residents?
A
How
do
we
keep?
You
know
our
small
businesses
that
own
their
buildings
like
these
distinctions
that
are
real
in
terms
of
like
people,
people's
lives
in
the
city
and
the
and,
like
councillor
flynn,
said,
like
the
real
community,
we're
trying
to
anchor
here.
Those
distinctions
aren't
currently
made
in
the
law.
What
encourages
me
is
that
just
about
every
distinction
that
is
made
in
the
property
tax
law
of
massachusetts
right
now
was
successfully
pushed
by
the
people
of
boston.
A
So
there
was
a
time
when
there
wasn't
even
a
difference
between
the
residential
and
the
commercial
tax
rate
and
the
people
of
boston
said
hang
on
we've
gotta
we've
gotta
change
this,
so
that
when
we've
got
long-term
residents
who
are
living
in
their
houses,
there
can
be
a
difference
in
the
rate
they're
paying
versus
the
rates
being
paid
on
these
commercial
properties
downtown
and
the
residential
exemption
which
we're
talking
about.
You
know
whether
it
should
be
increased,
etc.
That
was
also
brought
in
by
the
people
of
boston
advocating
at
the
legislature.
A
So
to
me,
it
feels
like
this
moment.
I
sort
of
hope
that
the
conversation
we
have
in
this
hearing
and
the
places
that
we
go
next
with
it
are
saying
like
okay.
Well,
you
know
what
we
may
need
to
intervene
again:
the
people
of
boston
in
the
conversation
at
the
state
house,
in
order
to
get
programs
that
work
better
and
keeping
our
our
whole
community
and
keeping
that
middle
as
counselor
flaherty
said
in
in
the
city.
A
So
I
I
I'm
encouraged
by
some
of
the
things
that
counselor
flynn
sort
of
started
with
here
today,
and
the
idea
of
us
kind
of
really
looking
to
put
looking
to
put
new
and
well
tailored
programs
into
place,
because
we
we
don't
want
to
give
a
huge
windfall
to
citibank
because
they
own
property,
downtown
or
whatever
and
and
frankly,
we
can't
afford
to
because
of
all
the
critical
programs
we
need
to
fund
for
our
residents.
A
A
So
I
just
I
want
to
start
out
because
I
know
we've
all
got
a
lot
of
questions
and
so
do
our
constituents,
but
just
with
acknowledging
that
he
does
quite
a
lot
of
good
work
within
the
parameters
of
of
a
lot
of
constraint
here.
So
with
that,
I
want
to
go
to
the
commissioner,
and
also
our
second
panelist
will
be
going
as
well
to
pam
coker
from
the
boston
municipal
research
bureau,
but
start
with.
Commissioner
aranello.
Thank
you
for
joining
us.
I
Thank
you
kenzie
for
referring
the
discussion.
Thank
you,
counselor
flynn,
for
for
calling
the
hearing.
I
think
it's
important
for
us
to
always
pay
attention
to
and
kind
of
review
how
our
property
tax
system
works
and
who
it
hits
and
what
we
can
do
to
improve
it.
What
we
can
do
to
make
sure
that
the
system
isn't
hurting
anyone
in
a
way
that
we
don't.
I
I
think
probably
a
good
way
to
kind
of
start.
The
conversation
is
to
talk
about
some
of
the
things
that
the
city
and
the
city
council
have
done
together.
That
have
really
been
been
good
for
our
residents
and
I
think
that
that's
kind
of
a
good
introduction
in
terms
of
thinking
of
what
else
we
can
do
and
where
we
can
kind
of
go
from
here.
I
So
a
couple
of
those
things
were
mentioned
briefly,
and
that's
classification
and
the
residential
exemption-
and
I
just
want
to
maybe
give
a
little
more
context
about
how
how
much
those
really
help
our
residents
and
and
where
that
value
is
and
what
those
programs
do
so
the
classification
program
which,
to
an
extent
you
you
all
know
about,
because
it
is
a
program
that
the
city,
council
and
the
city
have
to
approve
every
single
year
and
every
year
it
comes
up
for
a
vote
with
city
council
and
every
year
you
approve
the
amount
of
the
levy
that
gets
moved
from
residential
to
commercial
value
property.
I
This
year,
the
city
council
and
the
and
the
mayor
elected
to
maximize
the
amount
of
the
levy
that
was
shifted
from
residential
value
to
commercial
value.
I
What
that
means
is
that
the
residential
tax
rate,
so
that
the
real
impact
of
that
right
is
the
residential
tax
rate
went
out
at
say,
10.57
without
classification,
the
tax
rate
would
have
been
14,
so
we're
talking
about
a
30
to
40
percent
increase
on
top
of
everything
that
you
guys
are
talking
about.
I
That
would
have
happened
if
you
did
not
vote
for
classification,
and
so
that's
that's
a
really
important
program,
and
I
think
that
is
a
program
that
might
be
worth
looking
at
further
and
seeing
if
there's
a
way
that
we
can
get
more
value
for
our
residents
out
of
the
classification
program,
so
that
that
is
something
to
think
about.
I
I
I
So
in
practical
terms,
what
that
did
was
that
basically
exempted
the
first
295
500
worth
of
property
value
for
all
of
our
residents
that
qualify
for
that
program
and
so
that
that's
one
hundred
and
fifty
dollars
off
of
their
tax
bills
is
the
the
practical
impact
of
of
voting
for
that
program
and
maximizing
that
program.
That
is
another
program
that
might
be
worth
looking
at.
It
is
a
program
that
is
something
that
is
both.
Both
these
programs
are
also
things
that
are
relatively
revenue
neutral.
I
So
I
know
a
couple
of
the
counselors
have
mentioned.
You
know
the
the
city's
reliance
on
property
taxes
and
potential
budget
impacts,
and
you
know
wanting
to
make
sure
that
we
don't
get
ourselves
into
too
deep
of
a
whole.
I
So
the
classification
program
shifts
that
from
residential
property
to
commercial
property
and
the
residential
exemption
program
shifts
it
from
low
value
residential
property
to
high
value
residential
property
and
and
that
that
all
happens
through
that
tax
rate
setting
process,
and
so
that's
that's
how
those
programs
work.
We
also
have
a
number
of
exemption
programs.
I
Those
programs
aren't
built
to
the
rates,
and
you
know
a
couple
of
those
have
been
mentioned
already,
but
we
have
programs
for
the
elderly.
We
have
programs
for
disabled
veterans,
we
have
program
for
the
blind.
I
I
Things
like
the
exemption
program,
the
classification
program,
the
policy
tweaks
that
we
potentially
have
there
are,
are
lowering
them,
which
is
the
opposite
direction
of
what
what
you
guys
are
talking
about,
but
because
we're
currently
at
the
maximum.
If
we
wanted
to
kind
of
increase
the
benefit
to
residents,
then
that
would
mean
a
state
law
change
to
make
that
happen.
I
I
I'm
not
sure
if
there's
I'm
happy
happy
to
take
questions
or
take
the
conversation
in
in
whatever
direction
you
would.
You
would
like
it
to
to
go
in.
A
Great,
thank
you
so
much,
commissioner.
I
think
what
we'll
do
is
I'll
go
to
pam
and
then
and
then
we'll
do
a
round
of
questions
and
conversation
with
counselors
just
so
that
we've
got
everything
on
the
table.
So
next
up,
I
want
to
turn
to
pam
coker,
I'm
from
the
boston
municipal
research
bureau,
thanks
so
much
for
joining
us
today.
K
K
I
remember
a
similar
conversation,
probably
about
a
year
ago,
where
in
particular,
some
residents
came
and
testified
and
were
feeling
very
frustrated
and
very
challenged
by
the
the
pro
trying
to
get
through
our
process
to
get
some
help,
and
I
think
since
since
then
I
think
this
the
city
has
done
a
really
good
job
of
continuing
to
do
its
best
to
get
word
out
there
and
also
sit
down
with
residents
as
needed.
I
know
nick's
team
has
done
that,
and
so
I
don't
necessarily
have
a
lot
to
add.
K
I
appreciate
that
the
chair
mentioned
the
property
tax
classification
piece
that
shifts
revenue,
the
I'm
sorry
that
shifts
the
property
tax
requirements
onto
business
in
this
city,
and
that
has
been
done
for
some
time
and
allows
residential
taxes
to
be
a
little
bit
less
than
they
otherwise
would
I
know
that
the
current
challenge
of
the
impact
of
covet
19
and
the
property
tax
bills
folks
are
getting
for
the
last
two
quarters
of
the
year
are
looking
very
it's
a
very
jarring
experience,
because
the
experience
of
our
residents
and
our
businesses
that
are
getting
seeing
higher
property
tax
bills
at
a
moment
where
their
real
in-person
experience
is
a
lot
of
loss
and
challenge
and
struggle
to
find
their
own
resources.
K
And
so
just
I
want
to
add
to
the
conversation
the
the
process
that
state
law
lays
out
where
a
city
bases
its
tax
bills
on
that
property
value
from
a
previous
year,
and
I'm
I'm
very
much
generalizing
that
and
so
nick
can
go,
could
probably
explain
in
a
little
bit
more
detail
exactly
what
that
is.
But
it
means
that
when
a
property
tax
bill
shows
up
on
your
doorstep,
it's
not
recognizing
the
property
value
and
the
property
market.
K
At
that
moment,
the
moment
you're
experiencing-
and
I
think
that
continues
to
be
a
challenge
for
a
lot
of
our
our
residents
and
businesses
that
our
taxpayers,
when
it
comes
to
the
property
tax
and
that's
that's
a
challenge
all
over
the
state.
As
I
said,
that's
something
in
state
law
where
there's
a
lag
between
assessing
property
and
then
when
it's
and
then
when
it
shows
up
the
results
of
that
show
up
in
the
tax
bill.
K
You
know
beyond
that.
I
also
just
want
to
echo
the
comments
about
the
programs
that
are
currently
available
again
in
a
previous
hearing
on
this
issue.
We
had
seen
that
for
some
folks
and
we're
I'm
sure
going
to
hear
it
again
today
that,
despite
what's
available
as
the
state
allows
in
terms
of
relief
and
programs
to
provide
various
types
of
relief.
K
And
so
I'm
curious
to
hear
about
more
about
what
the
administration
and
some
of
the
counselors
are
thinking
about
about.
What
else
could
we
do
and
yet,
at
the
same
time,
what
could
we
do
that
ideally
keeps
the
impact
revenue
neutral
for
the
city,
because
property
taxes,
as
we
all
know,
do
go
towards
providing
the
services
and
other
types
of
resources
and
support
that
the
city
needs
to
provide
for
the
boston
community?
B
K
We
look
at
how
much
relief
and
to
what
extent
and
for
what
purposes,
if
there
are
going
to
be
consideration
of
changes
to
the
program.
K
I
guess
that's
just
about
it
for
now,
unless
there
was
something
specific
beyond
that,
counselor
bach
that
you
wanted
me
to
speak
to.
A
No,
I
think
I'm
grateful
to
you
for
being
here
and
being
a
resource
for
counselors
and
their
questions.
We
will
go
now
to
counselor
questions
and,
and
then
we
do
have
a
number
of
members
of
the
public
signed
up
to
testify.
So
just
for
counselors
reference.
I
think
what
we're
gonna
do
is
I'll
go
through
a
round
of
questions
for
everybody.
A
I
do
ask
people
to
kind
of
try
to
keep
it
to
that
five
minute
mark
and
then
once
we've
gone
through
a
full
round
of
questions,
I'll
I'll
turn
to
the
members
of
the
public
who
are
here
to
testify
and
then,
if,
if
there's
a,
if
there's
a
follow-up
set
of
questions,
we
can
go
to
those,
but
I
don't
want
to
keep
them
waiting
indefinitely
because
we
do
have
a
bunch
of
people
signed
up
so
so
and
if
you
and,
if
you
so,
if
you
think
you've
signed
up
you've
remembered
the
public
we've
got,
we've
got
a
whole
list
of
folks
and
again,
if
you're
watching
this-
and
you
want
to
sign
up
to
testify,
you
can
email,
cora,
c-o-r-a,
dot,
m-o-n-t-r-o-n-d
quoramontrond
at
boston.gov,
so
I'll
just
start
with
a
couple
of
questions.
A
Commissioner
arnello
and
then
go
to
counselor
flynn.
So,
and
I
just
want
to
make
sure
that
I
kind
of
understand
this
correctly.
On
the
classification
front,
my
understanding
is
basically
the
way
that
you
have
to
do.
It
is
there's
kind
of
a
a
total
amount
that
property
value-
let's
say,
has
grown
in
the
city
in
the
year
and
then
there's
kind
of
and
so
and
this
and
the
state
sort
of
says.
A
Okay,
so
you've
got
that
kind
of
total
amount
and
then
here's
here's.
What
you
would
have
you
would
charge
property
value.
Oh
sorry,
and
then,
within
that
there's
a
total
amount.
It's
grown
and
there's
a
there's,
an
amount
that
our
levy
right,
the
amount
that
we
charge
in
property
tax
is
allowed
to
go
up.
And
so
that's
kind
of
that's
like
our
max
bar
for
what
the
city
can
be
charging
everybody
collectively
who
needs
to
play
property
tax
and
the
first
thing.
A
If
we
didn't
have
classification,
is
you
would
just
you
would
take
that
number
that
total
number
and
you
would
divide
it
evenly
across
everybody
based
on
the
value
of
their
property?
And
you
charge
everybody
the
same
rate
and
that's
what
you
were
talking
about
right
with
the
14
thing
like
right
now,
we're
charging
in
the
sort
of
10
and
a
half
dollar
range
to
our
residents
and
then,
but
if
we
didn't
have
classification,
if
we
treated
the
businesses
and
the
residents
the
same,
it
would
be
that,
like
sorry,
what's
that
rate,
it's
it's
14
for?
A
Right
now
it's
about
10
and
a
half
bucks
per
thousand
dollars
about
value.
If
we
didn't
have
classification,
it
would
be
14
bucks
for
per
thousand
dollars
of
value.
These
are
round
numbers.
I
know
you
have
the
like
dollars
and
cents
exact
numbers,
but
then
because
we
have
classification,
we're
basically
allowed
to
shift
some
of
the
burden
that
would
be
on
those
residents
over
to
the
commercial
side.
A
A
Okay,
right
so
significant
and
it's
and
it's
way
more
than
the
three
dollars,
because
there's
way
more
residential
taxpayers
than
there
are
commercial
right,
so
so
to
make
up
the
difference.
You're
charging
the
commercial
a
lot
more.
So
we
end
up
charging
the
commercial
like
more
than
twice
as
much
per
thousand
dollars
of
value
as
we
do
the
residence.
A
So
my
understanding
when
I
called
you
on
this-
and
this
I
just
want
to
kind
of
since
we're
in
the
public
hearing
talk
about
it-
is
that
part
of
the
reason
that
valuations
went
up
this
year
is
that
we've
hit
that
ceiling
of
how
much
we're
allowed
to
shift
over
like
we
can't.
We
can't
shift
anymore
by
the
state
law
to
the
commercial
off
the
residence
and
the
resident
values,
keep
going
up
faster
than
the
commercial
values,
and
so
that's
part
of
that's.
A
Our
problem
is
that
we've
got
this
crazy
appreciation
and
values
on
the
residential
side
and
the
commercial's
been
more
moderated,
and
so
we
to
keep
that
residential
rate
low.
We
would
want
to
shift
even
more,
but
we've
hit.
The
ceiling
of
that
shift.
That's
allowed
by
state
law
is
that
a
fair
characterization.
I
Yeah,
no,
that
that
is,
that
is
a
fair
characterization,
and
I
should
so.
That
is
one
of
the
reasons
so
for
the
for
the
past
two
years,
actually,
the
residential
tax
rate
has
increased
ever
so
slightly,
while
property
values
have
been
going
up
and
that's
because
the
residential,
the
overall
bucket
of
residential
property
value,
has
been
growing
faster
than
the
overall
bucket
of
commercial
property
value
in
the
city.
But
for
for
context.
I
But
back
in
fiscal
year,
2016
the
residential
tax
rate
was
eleven
dollars
per
thousand
dollars
in
value
before
that
it
was
12
11.,
it
was,
let's
see
the
highest
in
recent.
I
History
was
13.14
in
fiscal
year,
2013.,
so
relatively
speaking,
for
the
for
the
past
decade,
or
so,
the
residential
property
rate
is
still
pretty
pretty
low
and
also
with
a
much
higher
residential
exemption
than
we
had
during
those
that
time
period
of
the
around
2015
2016.,
so
2015,
when
the
tax
rate
was
twelve
dollars
and
eleven
cents,
the
residential
exemption
was.
I
I
So
if
you
have
a
lower
value
property
like
in
the
500
000
range,
your
taxes
are
still
about
two
thousand
bucks
a
year
more
or
less.
But
it's
it's
the.
What
what
happens
is
and
the
reason
that
people
notice
the
impact
so
much
is
when
there's
a
value
increase.
Your
property
goes
from
five
hundred
thousand
dollars
to
six
hundred
thousand
dollars
all
of
a
sudden
percentage-wise.
Your
taxes
go
up
a
lot
because
the
residential
exemption
has
been
taking
away
so
much
of
that
burden,
but
the
the
whole
system.
I
I
A
I
think
that's
creating
a
lot
of
a
lot
of
the
challenge
for
us
and
and
it's
helpful
for
you
to
note
that
residential
exemption
we
did
also
put
in
as
a
progressive
piece
to
try
to
help
those
lower
valued
property
owners,
but
I
think
yeah
you're,
seeing
just
property
values,
go
up
so
much
that
that
many
more
folks
are
falling
outside
of
getting
the
main
benefit
of
that
yeah.
I
I
just
wanted
to
register
and
I'm
going
to
go
now
to
counselor
flynn.
A
C
Thank
you,
council
block,
and
thank
you,
commissioner
I'll,
be
very
brief.
I
know
other
councils
want
to
ask
questions
and
we
have
a
lot
of
testimony
as
well,
but
I
guess
my
my
main
point
is
many
of
my
constituents
that
are
seniors
bought
their
homes
20
30
40
years
ago
for
twenty
thousand
dollars,
they're
retired
now
they're
living
on
fixed
income,
they
may
have
retired
from
the
city
or
the
other
state,
and
they
have
a
small
retirement
monthly
payment.
C
The
the
the
value
of
their
property
has
skyrocketed
their
their
retirement
has
not
gone
up
or
gone
up
that
much,
but
they
you
know
now
their
house
is
valued
at
a
million
dollars
and
is
still
trying
to
struggle
paying
bills
on
on
that
retirement.
That's
the
that's
the
issue
that
we're
trying
to
trying
to
address,
but
for
a
long
time
homeowners
say
they've
owned
their
home
20
years
or
so,
and
they're
they're
over
55
years
old.
I
I
think
I
think
that's
an
option
that
we
can
consider
so
right
now
on
the
books.
We
have
a
long-term
homeowner
deferral
program
that
was
a
home
rule
petition
that
the
city
council
worked
on
in
around
2016
2017
and
calendar
year
2016..
I
But
maybe
so
everything
that
we're
talking
about
to
add
context
is,
is
something
that's
going
to
require
statute
change
right
and
so
we're.
You
know
whether
it's
home
rule
petition
or
something
else
of
that
nature.
It
they're,
even
when
they
move
fast.
It's
still
like
a
relatively
slow
moving
process
as
you're
all
aware,
and
there
are
good
reasons
for
that,
but
it
can
definitely
be
frustrating
when
you're
trying
to
be
nimble
and
deal
with
situation
like
the
one
that
we're
facing
now.
I
But
it's
maybe
it's
worth
revisiting-
that
long-term
homework
deferral
and
maybe,
if
the
criteria
there
or
the
interest
rate
there
isn't
something
that
we
feel
is
beneficial.
Then
that
could
be
something
that
might
be
worth
taking
a
look
at.
We
also
have
the
61a
deferral
program
for
the
elderly,
which
is
a
which
is
a
nice
program,
and
I
know
the
city
council
voted
to
move
that
interest
rate
to
1
last
year
and
so
that
that
is
a
potential
option.
I
But
it
is
also
possible
that
the
the
income
and
asset
restrictions
on
these
programs
might
be
a
little
difficult
for
people
to
meet
the
criteria
for,
and
so
it
might
be
worth
looking
at
at
those
levels
and
seeing
if
those
are
things
that
make
sense
or
if
they
should
be
tweaked.
A
little.
C
C
Are
we
able
to
come
up
with
some
type
of
working
group
of
of
of
residents
and
and
city
officials
to
put
all
the
proposals
on
the
table,
write
them
down
and
discuss
them
at
length
and
then
figure
out
which
ones
we
may
or
may
not
want
to
go
forward
on.
C
I
Yeah,
no,
I
think,
that's
a
that's
an
interesting
idea
and
I'd
be
happy
to
be
available
to
help
out
with
that.
I
C
Thank
you
christian,
and
I
know
I
know,
there's
a
lot
of
people
watching
this
on
on
at
their
home.
If
someone
does
have
a
question
and
you
you've
been
very
responsive
and
your
staff
have
been
very
responsive,
what's
the
best
way
to
reach
you
guys.
I
So
the
the
best
way
to
get
in
touch
with
us,
since
you
know
pandemic
and
all
clearly
we're
having
this
meeting
over
zoom
and
not
in
the
council
chambers,
don't
want
to
encourage
people
to
rush
into
city
hall
so
that
the
best
way
to
reach
out
to
us
is
to
give
a
call
to
our
taxpayer
referral
assistance
center
and
that
phone
number
is
617-635-4287,
and
you
know
we
we
have
great
staff
there
and
they
can.
I
A
Great,
thank
you
so
much
counselor
flynn
and
I'd
also
love
to
be
part
of
that.
Go
working
group
idea.
So
councillor
campbell.
D
Thank
you,
councillor
bach,
and
yes,
count
me
in
for
that
working
group
as
well,
and
commissioner,
thank
you
for
your
hard
work
and
your
team
right
obviously
responding
to
a
lot
of
calls
and
I'm
sure
you
could
use
more
human
capital
in
the
midst
of
this
pandemic.
So
thank
you
very
much
for
your
responsiveness.
D
I
just
have
a
few
questions.
I
do
recognize
that
much
of
this
does
fall
within
the
power
of
the
state
and
we
have
to
send
bills
up
to
the
state
to
change
many
of
these
things
which
is
frustrating
to
us
as
counselors
and,
of
course,
frustrating
to
our
residents,
because
we
want
to
have
immediate
risk
solutions
for
them
and
it
obviously
all
of
us
feel
powerless
at
moments
to
be
able
to
do
that.
D
So
I'm
just
curious,
based
on
the
limited
authority
that
we
have
here
and-
and
this
is
mainly
for
the
public-
you
know
what
can
we
do
now,
if
anything,
to
offer
some
immediate
relief
to
those
folks
who
are
unable
to
pay
and
then
my.
My
second
question,
which
relates,
is
there
a
lot
of
folks
who
obviously
were
trying
to
to
go
through
the
abatement
process?
D
If
there
was
some
error
in
assessing-
and
I
think
the
applications
were
due-
I
think
was
february
1st
correct
me
if
I'm
wrong,
and
so
I
didn't
know
if
there
was
any
options
for
for
residents
who
maybe
missed
that
deadline.
I
Sure
so,
thank
you.
Thank
you
for
your
questions,
counselor
campbell,
so
the
the
initial
one,
I
would
say
anyone.
That's
that's
struggling
to
make
payments.
I
would.
I
would
strongly
encourage
them
to
call
our
taxpayer
referral
assistance
center
and
see
if
there
is
a
program
that
we
currently
have,
that
they
might
fall
within
the
parameters
of
that's
that's
really
kind
of
the
top
line.
I
Takeaway
there
you're
you're
correct
that
our
abatement
period,
the
filing
deadline,
actually
because
of
the
because
of
the
snowstorm,
got
moved
to
february
2nd,
but
it's
a
it's
a
another
statutory
set
deadline,
and
so
that's
not
something
that
the
city
has
the
discretion
to
extend.
I
I,
I
think
I
think
you
mentioned
and
forgive
me
if
it
wasn't
your
counselor,
but
I
believe
that
it
might
have
been
might
have
been
you
and
your
in
your
open
remarks.
You
mentioned
something
about
notice,
going
up
to
the
constituents
about
the
the
tax
increase,
and
I
just
want
to
mention
that,
not
that
not
that
it
helps
anybody
now
if
for
some
reason
they
didn't
get
it.
I
But
my
department
was
definitely
concerned
about
getting
information
out
to
constituents,
and
so
when
we
have
this
kind
of
recertification
process,
all
that's
required
by
the
state
is
to
throw
up
a
public
notice
on
our
website
or
like
one
of
those
little
tiny
public
notices
in
the
newspaper
we
elected
to
send
a
mailing
to
every
one
of
our
taxpayers,
so
160
000
parcels
in
the
city
in
late
october
to
notify
them
that
we
were
going
to
have
a
disclosure
period
that
we
had
in
early
november
to
kind
of
give
them
a
heads
up
about
what
was
going
on
with
their
property
value
and
give
them
an
early
opportunity
to
address
any
concerns
that
they
might
have
at
that.
I
That
point
in
time,
I
understand
that
people
might
not
have
might
not
have
gotten
that
or
might
not
have
taken
advantage
of
that
opportunity.
I
But
the
city
really
is:
we
do
work
to
try
and
get
out
to
constituents,
and
I
I
think
our
department
has
two
main
goals.
The
first
goal
is
to
have
accurate
data
and
then
another
goal
that
is
is
equally
important
and
top
line
right
there
with
that
is
to
is
constituent
outreach
so
that
people
at
least
understand
where
their
values
are
coming
from
and
they
have
an
opportunity
to
correct
any
errors.
If
there
are
errors.
D
No,
I
appreciate
that,
commissioner,
and
my
only
concern,
I
think,
about
outreach
and-
and
I
actually
apologize
for
not
lifting
that
up.
Actually
the
mailing
was,
you
know,
some
people
pay
attention
to
it,
or
some
people
get
it
and
they
think
it's
it's
complicated,
it's
legal
it
it.
You
know,
it's
not
hey.
Your
taxes
are
going
up,
people
be
prepared
right
and-
and
I
think
you
know
in
bold
red,
and
so
I
would
have
been
really
frankly
pushing
even
the
mayor
at
oppressor
to
say
people.
You
know
just
flagging
for
you.
D
A
mailing
is
coming
out
from
our
assessing
department
to
let
you
know,
unfortunately,
based
on
state
law
state
provision.
Assessing
that
you
know
many
of
you
will
see
an
an
increase
in
that.
You
know
call
this
number
reach
out
to
this
person
to
be
able
to
assist,
and
so
we
just
was
thinking
about
more
creative
ways
to
get
people
this
information
in
as
simple
a
way
as
possible.
You
know
taxes
going
up
and
I
think
because
a
lot
of
folks
miss
that
and
was
that
done
in
different
languages
as
well.
I
So
the
the
flyer
itself
was
in
english,
but
we
did
include
an
insert
with
translation,
information
and
access
information
with
that
flyer.
D
So,
thank
you,
commissioner.
I
do
think
you
know
one
to
the
extent
we
get
to
this
working
group
really
thinking
about
how
we
can
think
about
more
ways
to
inform
constituents
when,
when
this
type
of
information
that
will
obviously
shock
them
financially
is
going
out
to
them,
and
so
whether
that
is
via
tv-
and
you
know,
a
lot
of
our
seniors
still
tune
in
to
television
right
or
other
creative
ways
as
well
and
especially
around
language
or
how
we
even
use
some
of
our
our
work.
D
You
know
partners
on
the
ground
who
are
working
with
our
residents,
whether
it's
healthcare
providers
or
others
just
other
infrastructure
that
we
have
to
be
able
that
for
folks
to
get
the
sort
of
the
the
point
right,
I
think
we
can
only
do
so
much
and
your
team
as
well.
So
I
appreciate
that
and
and
then
my
last
question
is,
is
really
on
on
on
data
and
council
brought
to
be
fair
to
my
colleagues,
I
can
send
that
those
requests
to
you
via
email
around
who
applied
for
abatement.
D
What
does
it
look
like,
and
and
can
sort
of
come
back
in
the
next
round
to
be
respectful
of
my
colleagues
in
public
testimony.
A
Sure
that
would
be
great
counselor,
campbell
and
yeah
we're
happy
to
if
you
can
send
those
to
me,
we'll
send
them
on
to
nick,
and
I
will
say
that
in
in
the
past
the
assessing
department's
been
very
responsive
to
us
with
data
requests.
So
oh.
D
And
in
on
that
point,
you
know,
obviously,
a
lot
of
folks
receive
that
notice
or
mailing
I'd
be
curious.
How
many
folks,
actually
you
know,
responded
to
us
in
between
october
right
because
then
that
I
think
determines
whether
or
not
the
mailings
are
effective,
or
we
should
redirect
those
resources
to
maybe
some
other
outreach
strategy.
Thank
you.
Councillor
bach,.
A
Thank
you.
Thank
you.
Councillor
campbell
and
pam
coker
from
the
boston
municipal
research
bureau
regarded
that
she
had
to
step
away,
but
but
she's
told
me
that
if
counselors
have
any
further
questions
specifically
for
the
bmrb,
we
can
forward
those
and
she'll
she'll
get
back
to
us
in
writing.
So
just
flagging
for
everyone.
Next
up
is
counselor
flaherty,
then
it'll
be
counselor
braden
councillor
flaherty
thank.
E
You,
madam
chair
and
I'll,
be
brief.
I
know
that
there's
several
members
of
the
public
that
would
like
to
testify
to
the
commissioner.
I
know
that
you
moved
the
deadline
from
I
think
february,
1st
to
february
2nd
due
to
the
snowstorm.
I've
got
several
requests
across
the
city
from
folks
who
missed
the
deadline
due
to
covid
in
a
couple
instances
they
were
actually
hospitalized
and
given
that
covet
has
allowed
us
to
have
tremendous
flexibility
in
a
number
of
different
areas.
E
Just
this
week,
the
council
voted
to
to
amend
the
city
charter,
to
suspend
the
special
election
for
office
of
mayor,
so
didn't
know
whether
or
not
due
to
covet.
If
someone
could
could
substantiate
that,
is
there
some
flexibility
with
respect
to
the
deadline?
That's
question
number
one
question
two
is:
can
we
freeze
this
decision
in
light
of
covid
in
light
of
everything
that's
going
on
in
our
economy
and
the
crunch
that
it's
going
to
put
on
residents
and
many
who
have
potentially
been
out
of
work
and
or
struggling?
E
I
Yeah,
thank
you
counselor
for
your
for
your
questions.
Try
and
address.
I
Let
me
know
if
I,
if
I
miss
one,
so
your
your
initial
question
about
deadline
extension
due
to
covid.
That
is,
I
do
not
believe
that
is
something
that
is
currently
within
the
parameters
of
our
statutes.
That
set
the
deadline,
but
I
haven't
had
someone
extensively
look
at
that,
but
I'm
pretty
sure
it
doesn't
fit
into
those
those
deadline.
Requirements.
I
I
But
that
being
said,
that
deadline
was
for
if
there
was
a
concern
about
property
data
and
we
in
general,
we
have
gotten
concerns
about
our
property
data
and
we
get
concerns
about
our
property
data
every
year.
We've
also
been
getting
a
lot
of
concerns
this
year
that
are
not
necessarily
about
property
data
or.
I
That
deadline
is
april,
1st,
so
there's
still
time
for
constituents
to
take
advantage
of
all
those
programs.
If,
for
some
reason,
they
aren't
getting
a
residential
exemption
and
they
qualify
for
it
or
any
of
the
other
programs
or
if
they
want
to
look
into
a
deferral
program,
because
they're
they're
having
trouble
paying
their
bills.
I
E
We
freeze
the
decision.
Oh
yeah,
the
decision
that's
been
made.
Can
we
freeze
that
decision
in
light
of
everything
that's
going
on
in
in
our
world
and
in
our
city
and
particularly
in
people's
financial
situations
due
to
covid?
This
is:
is
this
the
appropriate
time
to
be
doing
this?
My
answer
is
no.
My
question,
I
guess
is:
can
we
freeze
this
decision.
E
Us
unless,
lastly,
the
usage
rate
has
have
you
seen
the
usage
rate
go
up
compared
to
other
years
in
terms
of
the
exemption.
I
So
I
haven't,
it
can
be
a
little
hard
to
know
exactly
what
the
usage
rate
is
until
the
the
whole
exemption
period
kind
of
expires,
because
then
sometimes
people
apply
early
and
sometimes
they
wait
until
wait
until
the
last
minute
I
haven't
seen
anything
to
make
me
think
that
it
is,
it
is
dramatically
increased
or
decreased
in
general,
some
of
our
personal
exemption
programs
that
are
related
to
kind
of
income
and
asset
limits.
F
Thank
you,
counselor
bach.
I
think
my
colleagues
have
asked
many
of
my
questions
already.
I
I
do
want
to
give
some
more
feedback
about
this,
the
just
the
document
that
was
sent
out
about
the
disclosure
period.
I
I
don't
think
it
was
very
clear.
I
think
that
I
think
you
got
the
sense.
Your
taxes
were
going
to
go
up
and
you
were.
F
There
was
a
phone
number
a
website
to
go
to,
but
it
was
for
elders,
especially
it's
not
an
easy,
easily
navigable,
and
I
think
many
people
just
said
it
to
one
side
and
didn't
pay
any
attention
to
it.
So
you
know,
I
think,
in
terms
of
outreach,
we
need
to
really
look
at
how
effective
that
was
I'd,
be
curious
to
see
how
many
people
actually
contacted
for
advice
and
guidance
on
that.
F
As
a
result
of
that
letter
going
out,
we
sent
it
out
to
a
huge
number
of
people,
but
I'd
be
curious
to
know
how
many
people
actually
came
in
to
came
back
into
the
system
to
get
more
information,
and
then
you
know
in
terms
of
abatements
and
reassessments
and
the
under
the
lag
time
when
we
have
a
catastrophe
like
a
global
pandemic
and
a
recession,
it
is
it's
really
frustrating
to
think
that
we
don't
have
any
tools
in
the
kit
to
help
us
recalibrate
when
we
get
hit
with
with
a
a
global
pandemic
or
a
you
know,
a
natural,
a
natural
disaster
that
would
help
us
support
our
residents.
F
So
again,
I
would
really
look
forward
to
having
a
working
session
to
discussing
these
issues
in
more
detail.
Thank
you.
F
You
know
really
just
looking
in
in
terms
of,
and
it's
maybe
something
he
can
bring
back
to
it,
and
he
doesn't
have
this
information
at
his
fingertips.
I'm
sure
you
know
the
number
of
people
who
responded
to
that
disclosure
letter
and
and
who
followed
up,
because
we
sent
out
hundreds
of
that
with
thousands
and
thousands
of
letters.
I'm
curious
to
know
how
many
people
called
in
to
get
information
just
as
an
evaluation
of
how
effective
it
was
as
an
outreach
tool.
F
I
I
That
being
said,
it
might
be
useful
if
I
provide
some
information
related
to
call
volume
that
we've
gotten
in
in
past
years
as
well
and
because
compared
compared
to
that
the
numbers
are
have
been,
have
been
pretty
consistent,
there's
definitely
an
uptick
this
year,
but
yeah.
Everything
is
what
you
want
to
frame
it
as,
but
happy
happy
to
provide
that
information
and
happy
to
talk
about
how
maybe
we
can
improve
going
forward.
I
F
You
that's
all
I
have
for
now.
Cancer
bar.
A
H
Thank
you
very
much.
I
again
much
of
what
I
was
going
to
ask
was
asked
by
my
colleagues,
but
I
did
want
to
know
as
a
city
do
we
have
any
analysis
on
the
average
gap
or
the
average
shortfall
that
many
seniors
are
feeling
with
with
with
the
tax
increase?
Do
we
know
on
average?
What
is
a
breaking
point?
Is
it
is
it
that
they
feel
that?
H
I
That
that
wouldn't
be
data
that
I
have
available
to
me,
at
least
in
assessing
I'm
not
sure
honestly,
if
that's
something
that
age
strong
might
keep
track
of,
or
maybe
another.
H
Area
of
the
city,
I
think
it's
worth
for
my
colleagues
and
possibly
one
day
bringing
in
age
strong
to
see
what
on
on
average,
what's
the
pain
point
for
seniors
or
what's
the
shortfall
and
what
what
pushes
them
over
the
edge
financially.
So
that's
just
one
thing:
I'd
love
to
see.
H
I
don't
know
if
we
do
a
working
session
as
a
counselor
braden
mentioned,
but
it
would
be
one
point
and
the
other
point
the
reason
why
I
bring
that
up
is
if
we
could
find
out
what
that
pain
point
is
or
where,
where
specifically
most
seniors,
find
it
to
become
burdensome.
H
That's
where
again,
the
partnership
with
either
institutional
partners
and
pilot
payments
might
be
helpful
again
about
bringing
the
increasing,
or
at
least
adding
more
people
to
the
table
to
help
resolve
some
of
those
issues.
Again,
most
of
my
direct
tax
questions
were
asked
by
my
colleagues,
so
I'm
trying
to
think
of
other
ways
in
which
we're
trying
to
help
seniors
that
the
city
could
get
on
board
measure
and
understand,
and
so
I
just
bring
that
up.
H
I
I
understand,
nick
that
these
are
really
poignant
for
you,
but
to
my
colleagues
I
think
I
think
we
would
and
should
think
about
those
things.
I
again,
all
of
my
good
questions
were
already
asked
by
my
excellent
colleagues.
So
I'll
keep
it
at
that.
I
look
forward
to
the
working
session.
I
I
should
also
know
counselor
edwards
that
I
I
agree
with
your
question
and
I
think
that
that
is
going
in
in
a
really
good
direction
in
terms
of
kind
of
considering
programs
that
might
be
might
be
helpful
to
our
residents
and
and
making
sure
that
their
they're
programs
that
are
going
to
to
definitely
help
our
residents
and
and
and
meet
that
need,
and
I
think
that
that
data
is
an
important
part
of
getting
there.
So
I
I
want
to
thank
you
for
that
question.
A
Thank
you,
councilor
edwards
and
yes,
I
think
you
know
based
on
the
conversation
today.
It's
definitely
my
intention
to
keep
this
in
committee
and
look
for
an
opportunity
for
us
to
have
a
working
session.
I
think
that,
obviously
you
know
eventually
anything
legislatively
coming
out
of
the
council
on
this-
is
going
to
be
filed
as
a
ordinance
home
rule
position
and
and
go
through
government,
ops,
etc.
But
I
think
that
to
exactly
that
point
you
know
for
us,
we
don't.
A
We
don't
want
to
create
more
exemption
and
deferral
programs
that
aren't
useful
to
the
people
who
are
actually
experiencing
the
pain
right
and
and
to
your
point,
commissioner,
it
sounds
like
some
of
the
the
income
and
asset
limits
on
the
existing
ones.
Just
haven't
kept
up
with
these
rising
property
values,
so
they're,
just
not
as
useful
to
the
right
folks
and
then
also
we're
not
looking
to
come
up
with
programs
that
are
you
know.
A
We
don't
want
programs
that
aren't
useful
to
the
people
who
are
experiencing
the
pain
and
who
are
trying
to
keep
in
the
city.
We
also
don't
want
programs
that
create
giant
loopholes
and
allow
you
know
big
corporate
actors
to
pay
less
tax,
because,
frankly,
the
other
side
of
helping
our
residents
right
are
the
programs
that
we
fund
with
the
tax
levy.
A
So
so
I
think
that,
having
some
further
conversation
trying
to
narrow
in
on
what
what
is
the
intervention
at
the
state
level,
if
we're
all
going
to
get
behind
something
that
would
help
the
most
people
and
also
have
the
fewest
of
those
unintended
consequences.
That
seems
like
something
that
that
we
need
to
be.
We
need
to
be
talking
about
in
detail
conceptually
before
we're
just
you
know
before
we
file
something.
A
So
I
just
really
appreciate
counselor
flynn
bringing
up
this
conversation
in
this
context
today
and
you
for
being
here
to
answer
all
the
questions.
A
I
have
one
little
question
and
then
I'm
gonna
go
to
public
testimony,
which
is
just
and
it's
something
that
I
had
raised
with
you
before,
and
I
raised
it
up
at
the
beginning
here
this
idea
of
like
to
the
point
about
letting
giving
people
notice
if
there
was
any
way
for
us
to
in
our
property
tax
estimations
that
we
send
people
sort
of
like
shift,
some
of
the
expected
increase
on
to
the
first
and
second
payment
bills,
even
if
it
came
with
a
disclaimer.
A
That
said,
look
like
this
is
just
based
on
a
sort
of
back
of
the
envelope
projection,
but
something
that
would
let
people
kind
of
smooth
increases
when
they
come
and
again
this
doesn't
solve
when
people
just
get
wiped
with
an
increase.
That
is
just
like.
You
know
in
total
just
way
too
much
for
them.
But
I
have
heard
a
lot
of
concern
about
that
issue
with
when
you
have
a
big
increase
and
you're,
covering
catching
up
on
it
entirely
across
two
payments
in
the
back
end
of
the
year.
I
Yeah,
thank
you
for
your
your
question.
Councilman
brock
yeah.
So
this
really
gets
into
kind
of
our
how
our
bill
structure
is
set
up
and
and
kind
of
what
what
the
city
is
elected
to
to
do
and
what
the
options
are
that
that
are
available.
I
I
Then
there
are
elective
options
for
either
semi-annual
payments
or
quarterly
payments
and
the
the
city
boston
is
elected
to
go
with
quarterly
payments
and,
as
you,
you
all
are
probably
becoming
very,
very
aware
with,
as
constituents
reach
out
to
you.
I
The
first
two
payments
are
estimates
and
they're
based
off
of
the
prior
year's
tax
bill,
and
that
is
the
process,
for
that
is
also
the
the
process
and
structure
are
set
up
within
state
statute,
and
so
the
there's
a
limit
on
what
the
preliminary
tax
bills
can
be,
and
so
the
state
statute
does
not
allow
our
preliminary
estimate
for
a
tax
bill
to
be
higher
than
a
hundred
and
two
and
a
half
percent
of
the
prior
year.
I
So
it
allows
for
a
slight
increase,
but
then
that
increase
is
still
spread
over
four
quarters,
and
so
each
individual
bill
has
the
potential
to
to
be
a
quarter
of
that
that
increase.
So
it
doesn't
really.
I
don't
think
that
the
current
statute-
I
don't
think,
really
gets
to
the
flexibility
that
you're
you're
asking
about
to
kind
of
give
people
higher
preliminary
estimates
I
mean
that
is
it
would
be
another
statute
change.
It's
maybe
something
worth
worth
looking
into.
I
It
gets
maybe
a
little
bit
tricky
in
terms
of
figuring
out
kind
of,
like
essentially
the
information
that
the
city
has
when
we
send
out
those
first
two
quarter
bills,
because
that
the
amount
of
that
gets
committed
in
I
wanna
say
it's
it's
around
june,
so
basically
that
how
how
much
we
could
kind
of,
even
with
the
law
change
how
much
we
could
kind
of
factor
in
in
terms
of
reality,
of
what
a
value
is
going
to
be
in
in
june,
is
going
to
be
very
complicated
because
the
department
really
does
spend
the
entire
entire
year
from
from,
in
essence,
mid-january
through
november
figuring
out
models
and
values
for
the
whole
city.
I
So
I'm
not
sure
where
you
could
have
that
much
precision
by
that
point.
But
you
know
there
might
be
an
opportunity
to
kind
of
increase
the
amount
asked
during
the
preliminary
period.
So
then
there
isn't
such
a
pain
point
for
the
the
second
two
quarters.
If
there
is
a
value
increase,
but
also
not
something
where
the
city
would
all
of
a
sudden
owe
people
refunds.
A
Right,
we
certainly
wouldn't
want
that.
It
feels
to
me
like
there
might
be
an
opportunity
to
even
have
some
kind
of
an
option
in
our
interface.
That's
like,
okay,
these
are
your
bills
and
you
still
do
the
estimates.
The
same
way
that
you
do
now
and
then
you
say
like:
are
you
looking
to
spread
your
bills
more
evenly
like
and
there's
like
a
calculator
that
lets
you
like
go
ahead
and
pay
an
extra
two
percent
or
like
I'm
just
thinking
about
how
retirement
systems
sometimes
work?
A
That
kind
of
like
give
people
that
opportunity
to
opt
in,
and
I
don't
know
it's
just
it
is
something
I've
heard
from
particularly
I
have
obviously
a
district
with
a
lot
of
very
high
valuations
and
just
the
the
sheer
amount
that
people
are
looking
at
now
finding
in
the
second
half
of
the
year
is
really
hard.
I
want
to
go
to
public
testimony
counselor
flynn
as
a
lead
sponsor.
Was
there
anything
you
wanted
to
say
before
I
did
so.
A
Okay,
great
excellent,
so
going
over
to
public
testimony,
I'm
going
to
start
admitting
people
so
I'll
admit
you
to
the
panelist
space,
but
but
I'll
ask
you
to
wait
until
I
call
on
you
to
speak
and
we've
got
a
couple
of
people
who
are
in
the
waiting
room
here
who
have
who
don't
have
a
sort
of
first
name,
so
I've
got
galaxy,
s10,
plus
and
an
sgd.
A
So
if
either
of
you
are
looking
to
testify
or
you've
signed
up
to
testify,
it
would
be
great
if
you
know
how
to
change
your
name
on
zoom
to
do
that.
And
if
you
don't
to
just
to
raise
your
blue
hand
just
because
it
helps
us
keep
to
the
order
and
first
up
is
going
to
be
iris
dupont
and
then
I've
got.
I
don't
currently
see
felicia
spencer,
jose
tanio,
hatui
or
joanne
green,
brooks,
though
the
next
three
people.
A
So
if
one
of
those
names
changes
to
one
of
those
or
you
raise
your
hand,
we'll
go
to
you
and
otherwise
after
iris
it'll
be
el
nora
thompson
and
then
eileen
smith,
and
then
there
are,
and
then
it's
louie
eric
joanne
and
rick.
Just
so,
you
all
know
that
you're
on
the
on
the
list,
so
let
me
admit
a
few
folks.
I
A
Right
and
all
right,
I
think
I
see
iris
so
iris
you're
our
first
person
for
public
testimony.
If
you
want
to
unmute,
you
now
have
the
floor.
N
Okay,
great,
can
I
do
the
video
too.
N
Great
thank
you
and
good
morning.
Everybody
and
I
want
to
say
thank
you
to
all
the
counselors.
They
have
all
spoken
to
what
we
seniors
in
particular
are
concerned
about.
I
want
to
say
thank
you
also
for
sending
out
the
notice.
I
was
one
of
those
people
that
read
the
notice
that
was
able
to
go
online
and
figure
out
what
was
happening
finding
out
what
our
assessment
was.
What
are
the
change
in
the
value
of
our
property,
which
was
incredibly
ridiculous
every
year
it
goes
up
sixty
seventy
thousand
dollars.
N
I
don't
put
sixty
or
seventy
thousand
dollars
worth
of
work
into
my
house,
so
I
know
it
it's
no
different,
but
again
it
was
nice
to
get
the
letter.
I
want
to
say
that
a
lot
of
people
that
I've
spoken
to
in
my
neighborhood
association
didn't
understand
it.
They
didn't
know
what
they
could
do.
They
didn't
think
they
could
say
anything
they
they
just
said.
Oh,
my
god,
this
is
happening
and
I
had
called
the
office.
N
The
gentleman
who
answered
said
yeah
that's
happening
to
everybody
and
I
went
yeah,
but
no,
no.
I
need
to
talk
to
somebody
about
this
and
he
said
well,
we'll
have
somebody
call
you.
I
said.
Okay,
three
days
later,
nobody
called
I
called
andrea's
office,
andrea
campbell.
N
I
told
her
what
was
happening
and
her
staff
was
able
to
to
help
get
me
in
touch
with
somebody
at
the
one
of
the
assessors
and
we
had
a
good
conversation.
N
My
property
is
zoned
as
a
three
family,
but
it's
an
old,
victorian
farmhouse
that
is
divided
up
very
strangely,
and
I
only
have
two
income
apartments
here
that
are
very
small,
and
so
it's
not
like
I'm
a
regular
three
family
house,
a
triple
decker.
You
know
their
studio
and
one
bedroom
apartments
that
I
rent
out.
So
my
income
from
that
is
very,
very
different.
N
N
We
make
less
than
50
000
a
year
and
the
the
eligibility
rates
don't
apply.
To
me
I
mean
it's,
it's
just
crazy.
They
need
to
be
lowered,
something
needs
to
happen.
We've
been
in
our
house
for
35
years.
We
can't
afford
to
go.
We
don't
want
to
leave
our
house
because
we
can't
afford
to
pay
taxes.
I
mean
it's,
it's
just
crazy
and
there
are
a
lot
of
seniors.
N
So
I
think
that's
all.
I
wanted
to
say.
A
Great,
thank
you
so
much
iris,
thank
you
for
being
with
us
here
today.
Okay,
next
up
is
el
nora
and
then
it'll
be
eileen
and
then
luain
and-
and
I
will
just
we-
give
everybody
a
few
minutes
and
then
I'll
just
hold
up
my
gavel.
You'll
see
it
if
you're
on
video,
just
as
a
way
to
say
if
you
can
bring
it
to
a
close
just
so
we
make
sure
we
get
everybody
in,
but
really
appreciate
you
all
being
here,
el
nora.
O
All
right
there
we
go,
my
name
is
eleanor
thompson
and
I
live
in
dorchester
cottman
square
area.
I
am
retired
and
on
disability,
and
this
tax
increase
hit
me
like
a
big
bucket
of
cold
water.
O
So
I
am
very
worried
about
this
increase
and
I've
talked
to
a
lot
of
my
senior
neighbors
and
we
are
all
at
the
same
opinion.
We
are
struggling
just
to
keep
up
and
I
don't
qualify
for
a
lot
of
the
programs,
because
my
income
is
not
that
high
and
my
social
security
is
not
going
up
and
my
pension
is
definitely
not
going
up.
O
So
and
I
I
call
age
strong
and
discussed
the
tax
bill
with
them,
then
I
called
the
tax
office
and
there
was
a
young
man
down
there.
O
He
was
very
nice,
but
he
explained
it,
but
I
I
really
didn't
understand
it's.
It's.
It's
really
a
big
blow
to
all
of
us
seniors,
especially
in
the
congress
square
area
where
the
property
is
taxes
is
going
up
because
of
all
the
new
construction
and
new
condos,
and
I
know
we
we're
going
to
be
hit
hard
with
that.
A
Thank
you
so
much
elora
thanks
for
sharing
next
up
is
eileen
smith
and
then
it'll
be
louie
o'connor
and
then
eric
olsen
eileen.
A
Okay,
eileen,
I
think
I'm
gonna
wait,
I'm
gonna
jump
to
lululane
and
and
if
you're
able
to
meet
we'll
we'll
circle
back
to
you
so
luanne.
Do
you
want
to
go.
M
L
Can
you
hear
me
okay,
we
can
hear
you
great
great,
that's
awesome!
So
thank
you,
counselor
flynn
and
everybody.
I
know
this
is
a
really
kind
of
tough
issue,
the
more
I
get
into
it.
I
look
forward
to
getting
to
know
you
better
counselor
flynn,
so
I'm
representing
my
community
here,
250
people.
We
live
at
150,
dorchester
avenue
and
I
definitely
want
to
I
appreciate
this
is
affecting
everybody
differently,
but
it's
it's
definitely
want
to
remind
people
that
they
representing
all
constituents,
not
one
class
over
another.
L
Definitely
deep
ties
in
boston.
All
my
grandparents
are
born
and
raised
here
raising
two
little
girls.
Here,
it's
not
a
not
an
easy
city
to
raise
children,
it's
very
expensive
in
the
school
the
schools
aren't,
aren't
up
to
par
as
they
could
be
so
so
I
the
the
striking
thing
for
me,
is
I
have
a
background
in
computer
science
and
finance
and
when
I
downloaded
all
of
the
mls
data
from
2019
for
our
building
and
compared
it
to
our
tax
assessments,
it
was
30
higher
than
actual
market
sales.
L
When
I
reached
out
to
my
friends
at
zillow,
they
said
they've
dropped,
boss
density
assessments
from
their
algorithms
because
they
are
significantly
unreliable
inputs
to
real
world
market
values
and
and
now
that
I'm
hearing
kind
of
how
these
algorithms
are
built,
it
just
sounds
like
there's
a
crazy
thing
going
on
here.
As
far
as
how
do
you
determine
values
of
properties
and
and
people
are
reaching
out
to
me
in
the
building
everybody's
losing
their
jobs
right
now,
it's
not
one
class
over
another.
It's
it's!
L
It's
kobe's
really
going
to
change
this,
this
landscape
of
city
living.
So
I
think
you
just
need
to
make
it
more
clear
about
how
is
this
calculated
actually
and
it
needs
to
be
documented
and
it
seems
like
there's
different
tranches
of
things
going
on
here.
You
also
need
to
make
it
clear
what
we're
getting
for
our
taxes.
It
took
me
over
a
year
to
get
a
city
light
installed
and
crosswalks
painted
in
our
area
and
the
other
thing.
L
This
is
kind
of
a
tough,
tough
thing,
but
has
the
city
looked
into
long-term
budget
efficiencies,
for
example,
harvard
university
salary
freezes,
no
extra
comp
and
no
bonuses
offered
early
retirement.
As
I
look
at
kind
of
the
city
of
boston's
payroll,
2019
1.8
billion
dollars
in
the
top
10
earners
took
on
an
average
of
400
000
each.
L
So
I
think
we
need
to
attack
this
from
multiple
angles,
and
I
just
really
I
like
everybody
here,
no
matter
who
you
are
was
kind
of
like
holy
crap.
How
how
can
taxes
go
up
by
by
30
and
be
off
of
actual
market
values?
So
that's
that's
kind
of
what
I
wanted
to
bring
to
the
table
and
I
look
forward
to
discussing
it
further
and
understanding
how
we
can
solve
this
together.
A
Great,
thank
you
so
much
eric
and
thank
you
for
representing
all
your
neighbors.
I
see
luanne
so
we're
going
to
go
back
to
her
and
then
I
will
give
an
opportunity
to
eileen
if
we
can
get
her
and
then
we'll
go
to
joanne
and
rick.
So
luan
you
have
the
floor.
M
Okay,
can
you
hear
me
we
can
hear
you
great
awesome,
I'd
like
to
first
thank
counselor
flynn
for
championing
this
issue,
particularly
here
in
south
boston.
M
So,
and
I
love
the
idea
of
putting
together
a
working
group
with
residents
as
well,
whether
that
be
leads
of
neighborhood
associations
or,
however,
that's
chosen,
but
I
would
definitely
like
to
be
a
part
of
that.
So
what
I
wanted
to
bring
up-
and
perhaps
you
know
the
commissioner
can
weigh
in
on
this
as
well.
M
So
I'd
like
to
see
if
boston
can
actually
do
something
very
similar
to
that
and
the
home
rule
petition,
I
think,
would
be
easier
to
get
through
the
state
house,
because
it's
not
going
to
affect
all
of
massachusetts,
because
there
are
in
fact,
tiny
towns
that
depend
solely
on
their
tax
revenue.
So
I
don't
think
that
it
would
be
fair
for
boston
to
go
into
a
tiny
little
town
and
reduce
it.
M
So
I
just
thought
that
that
was
a
great
idea
that
some
of
those
communities,
our
affluent
communities
that
are
very
similar
to
south
boston,
as
well
as
councilor
block
in
war
area
as
well
so
we're
talking
reading.
I
think
they've
done
it
twice:
hingham
andover,
concord,
sudbury
so
on
and
so
forth.
So
it
would
be
really
great
if
we
could
look
at
that
and
see
what
they've
done
and
I
don't
see
why
boston
actually
couldn't
adopt
it.
M
So
I'd
like
some
feedback
on
that
and
then
the
other
thing
that
we
need
to
look
at
is
new
growth.
The
city
of
austin
adds
added
value
onto
new
growth.
So,
while
the
city
has
a
desire
to
grow
we're
kind
of
the,
there
are
certain
groups
that
are
being
left
behind
and
as
councilor
flynn
said,
we
don't
want
to
lose
the
soul
of
our
city.
I
don't
think
I'm
ever
going
to
forget
that
quote
counselor
flynn,
because
it
is
in
fact
our
seniors.
M
It's
our
middle
income
and
its
families.
So
those
three
groups:
it
feels
very
real
in
my
association
in
south
boston
that
we're
not
wanted.
M
So
when
you
get
groups
of
people
that
are
feeling
that
way
about
their
city,
that's
really
a
mass
exodus,
and
we
don't
want
that
to
happen.
The
existing
programs
that
we
have.
I
don't
think
that
they're
effective
in
this
day
and
age,
and
I
do.
I
would
also
like
to
look
at
nonprofits.
M
Why
can't
nonprofits
pay
a
larger
tax
amount?
New
businesses
coming
in
amazon
got
what
a
5
million
tax
break
so
we're
giving
large
corporations
and
non-profits
really
a
big
tax
break,
and
it's
coming
back
on
to
the
residents
of
the
city
of
boston.
I
think
we
need
to
look
at
long-term
residents
as
well.
I
myself
in
fifth
generation
on
my
mother's
side,
south
boston.
M
My
son
is
sixth,
so
we're
multi-general
families
across
the
city
of
boston
in
all
neighborhoods,
and
we
want
to
stay
here
and
there
seems
to
be
an
overall
attitude
that
the
assessing
of
your
home
is
great.
The
value
is
going
up
and
when
you
go
to
sell,
I
I
can't
tell
you
how
that
sentence.
Irritates
me
when
you
go
to
sell
the
long-term
residents
we're
here,
we've
been
here
we're
going
out
in
a
box
and
then
we
want
to
pass
our
homes
that
we've
worked
so
hard
for
scrimped
and
saved.
M
We
want
to
pass
it
on
to
our
children
or
to
our
grandchildren.
So
when
you
talk
about
deferral
programs
with
interest
rates,
you
know
you
kind
of
settle
up
when
you
die
or
when
you
you
know,
you
sell
your
home,
that's
really
not
working
either.
So
I
think
there's
a
lot
that
we
can
do
because
everybody
brings
something
to
the
table
insofar
as
their
ideas.
M
So
that's
kind
of
what
I
want
to
say,
but
I
would
like
for
the
city
to
look
at
what
other
towns
have
done.
I
can
send
you
the
feed
on
it,
and
maybe
we
can
do
the
same
thing
here
in
boston.
A
Thank
you
so
much
lauren,
and
yes,
please,
if
you
send
us,
you
can
I
mean
counselor
flynn
can
get
it
to
us,
but
also
ccc.wm
boston.gov
to
the
committee.
We
can
make
that
part
of
the
record
from
this
and
sort
of
use
it
as
we're
going
forward
in
the
working
session
front.
It's
great
all
right!
Next
up,
I
want
to
see
if
eileen
can
unmute
eileen
smith.
A
Yeah,
no
exactly
that's
what
we're,
what
we're
waiting
on
all
right!
Eileen!
I'm
gonna
go
next
to
rick,
but
if
again,
if
I
I'm
I'm
watching,
if
I
see
you
on
mute,
I
will
I
will
come
back
to
you,
but
in
the
meantime,
we're
gonna
go
to
rick
martin.
P
Hey
good
morning,
everybody
again,
I
want
to
echo
first
council
flynn.
This
is
just
I
can't
say
thank
you
enough
for
doing
this.
It's
from
the
bottom
of
my
heart.
This
is
just
amazing,
and
I
want
to
echo
luanne's
and
el
norris
and
iris's
comments
too,
especially
the
wayne's
comments.
P
P
We
enjoy
it
tremendously,
but
the
taxes
that
have
been
going
up
exponentially
in
this
house
has
just
made
it
almost
impossible
for
us
to
stay.
I'm
sick,
I'm
going
to
be
62
in
may,
and
I
also
have
a
small
property
owner
in
this
area.
I
own
three
two
families
in
this
neighborhood
that
I
bought
again
invested
in
the
area
where
nobody
else
would,
because
I
thought
you
know
I
want
to
see
the
area
get.
M
P
Again,
you
know,
because
I
dorchester's
just
an
amazing
amazing
town,
but
I
can't
afford
to
keep
my
two
families
anymore,
because
I
I
only
charge
I'll
tell
you
right
now
for
one
of
my
two
bedroom
apartments.
Here
I
only
charge
900
a
month
for
my
tenant
and
at
the
market
value
on
the
thing's
2500.
P
I
can't
and
all
consciousness
raised
my
rent
to
that
level,
because
these
people
can't
afford
it
and
all
my
rents
are
well
below
two
thousand
dollars
for
three
bedrooms
in
this
area
and
they're,
big
old
victorians
and
they're
in
good
shape.
I
don't
understand
why
we're
getting
taxed
on
what
you
could
sell
a
house
for?
P
P
That
abatement
process
is
a
nightmare
and
you
have
to
have
a
degree
in
physics
to
get
through
this
thing
and
if
they
deny
you,
because
you
know
you
say
well,
your
assessed
value
is
based
on
these
sales.
Well,
that's
impossible!
I
have
not
done
like
you
know.
I
ever
said
work
to
my
house
of
a
hundred
thousand
dollar
increase.
I
haven't
done
any
work
on
these
places.
P
I've
maintained
them
and
they've
passed
inspections,
but
I
would
like
to
upgrade
them
absolutely,
but
then
my
taxes
are
going
to
go
up
even
more
so
this
formula
or
how
we're
taxing
people
has
got
to
be
fixed.
You
know,
I
don't
think
taxing
on
what
you
could
sell
it
for
is
logical
at
all.
It
makes
no
sense
to
me.
You
know
we
paid
almost
nothing
for
our
single
family
home
in
98,
because
nobody
wanted
to
live
here.
P
Well
now,
I'm
getting
taxed
on
what
a
developer
would
pay
for
it
and
rip
it
into
four
condos,
which
is
not
going
to
happen.
I
will
never
let
that
happen
as
long
as
I'm
alive,
because
it's
a
beautiful
old
victorian
and
it's
the
first
house
that
was
built
in
clan
point
in
the
early
1800s,
the
very
first
house,
so
the
historical
significance
of
this
house
is
huge,
but
what's
going
to
happen
in
two
or
three
years,
when
I
started
to
start
collecting
social
security,
I
can't
afford
to
stay
here.
P
Neither
can
my
family,
it's
just
horrible,
so
I
welcome
the
thought
of
you
know,
especially
the
abatement
process
like
I
said,
because
if
they
deny
your
abatement,
you
have
to
pay
money
to
go
to
the
state
hundreds
of
dollars,
file
that
and
then
you
get
hearings.
Well,
you
know
for
the
last
two
and
a
half
years,
guess
what
I
have
not
had
a
hearing
because
they
keep
delaying
it.
So
my
taxes
keep
going
up,
I'm
paying
all
this
money
and
I
keep
getting
these
notices
from
people
over
an
assessment.
P
P
But
that's
gonna
stop
quick,
because
I
can't
pay
my
mortgage
so
when
you're
looking
at
these
values
from
people
who
own
primary
residence,
you
also
got
to
look
at
people
like
iris,
who
has
a
three
family
and
she's
getting
killed
on
taxes
with
no
income
coming
in
and
you've
got
to
give
relief
to
the
small
property
owners
who
are
trying
to
keep
rents
low
and
also
keep
people
in
their
homes
who
have
been
here.
I've
had
tenants
for
15
years,
but
some
of
them
are
starting
to
leave
because
they
can't
afford.
P
A
Thank
you.
Thank
you
so
much
rick.
I
really
appreciate
that,
and
and
and
really
agree
that
you
know
we
talk
a
lot
about
ways
to
to.
You
know:
keep
rent,
reasonable
and
sort
of
formal,
affordable
housing
and
there's
a
lot
of
there's
a
lot
of
informal
rent
control.
That's
happening
through
landlords,
with
a
relationship
with
their
tenants,
and
I
think
the
idea
of
you
know
an
interesting
question.
The
commercial
assessments
generally
are
determined
based
on
kind
of
the
income
coming
in
like
a
sort
of
survey
of
the
leases
but
residential.
A
A
Wonderful,
I
see
eileen
eileen.
Well,
I
don't
see
you,
but
I
see
that
you're
unmuted.
So
let's
go
to
you
next.
Q
Hello,
sorry
for
the
delay,
thank
you,
cop,
listenman
and,
and
the
elected
bodies
similar
to
I.
I
have
sent
a
letter
as
well.
I
don't
know
whether
or
not
that
is
going
to
be
read.
So
just
to
be
brief,
you
know
my
sentiments
are
similar
to
virus
dupont.
Q
You
know
I
am
in
a
family
house,
my
sister
and
I
our
joint
owners
are
both
retired
attendant,
who
has
no
job
and
got
hit
with
a
5600
tax
increase,
which
is
absolutely
really
unacceptable,
unbearable
on
as
far
as
applying
for
you
know,
any
type
of
relief.
I
believe
that
the
connected
incomes
are
automatically
like
disqualify
us
for
additional
inventions.
Q
I
do
believe
that,
I'm
sorry
can
you
folks
in
fact
hear
me,
I'm
sorry,
okay,
I
do
believe
that
any
type
of
you
know
400
residential
exemption
for
the
senior
citizens
is
not
enough.
I'm
really
hoping
that
you
know,
as
discussed
by
luanne
and
all
that
men
rick
who
just
spoke.
You
know
the
the
council
and
they
need
to
work
to
change
legislation
to
go
to
the
state.
To
make
this
happen,
however,
we
need
a
moratorium
put
in
place
on
next
year's
taxes.
Q
I
strongly
feel
that,
with
the
amount
of
residential
development,
you
know
we
are
just
being
totally
we're:
gonna
be
removed
from
our
neighborhood
very
soon
we're
really
getting
out
priced
with
the
development
that's
being
allowed
in
the
city,
and
I
knew
that
we've
been
here.
My
family
has
been
here.
You
know
third
generation
and
we're
starting
to
feel
the
pressure,
and
I
don't
know
what
type
of
exemptions
can
possibly
be
added.
I
support
council
flynn
suggested
long-term.
Q
You
know
senior
residents
getting
some
type
of
additional
relief
and
I
really
hope
that
I
know
the
process
to
appeal.
This
type
of
situation
to
the
legislature
is
timely,
but
we
need
something
now
we
need
relief
immediately.
We
need
to
definitely
put
a
moratorium
in
place
folded,
there's
no
compassion
to
to
the
city
residents
that
are
financially
struggling.
Q
So
I'm
grateful
that
you
are
today
on
board
and
and
taking
all
of
our
thoughts
into
consideration,
but
I
really
hope
that
something
can
be
enacted
quickly
to
save
the
soul
of
the
neighborhood,
so
to
speak.
So
I'm
grateful
for
your
help.
I
just
hope
we
can
do
something
quickly
to
benefit
the
residents.
A
Great,
thank
you
so
much
eileen
and
now
I'm
gonna
go
to
we've.
We've
run
through
the
folks
who
had
signed
up
with
me,
but
I've
got
a
few
folks
in
the
waiting
room
that
I
want
to
go
to
to
check.
If
you
want
to
testify
so
first
it'll
be
elizabeth
rhodes
and
then
I'll
go
to
octavia
and
then
teresa
elizabeth
did.
You
want
to
say
something.
R
Hi,
I
wasn't
planning
to
say
anything.
I
would
just
now
that
I
have
the
floor.
I
just
like
to
add
that
what
we
need
here
is
action.
We
need
to
have
evidence
that
city
council
is
actually
interested
in
what's
going
on
on
the
ground,
rather
than
a
distant
set
of
numbers
that
are
making
these
calculations.
R
The
city
is
us,
we're
people
and
I'm.
I
have
a
good
job.
I've
lived
here
for
12
years,
I'm
getting
taxed
out
of
my
house.
It's
it's
it's
unacceptable
and
I
think
it's
unnecessary,
so
I
hope
that
you
can
get
together
with
people
to
think
creatively
work
with
the
state
instead
of
under
the
state's
thumb
I
mean.
I
was
alarmed
to
hear
our
rep,
our
state
representative,
ask
why
nobody
had
gotten
in
touch
with
him
before
this
was
put
in
place
or
before
all
this
drama
started.
R
Some
kind
of
conversation
needs
to
happen,
so
the
left
hand
is
in
is
in
agreement
with
the
right
hand,
otherwise
we're
getting
dumped
on
and
we're
getting
pushed
out,
and
I'm
stunned
that
I
I
have
a
good
job
and
I
can't
afford
to
live
here
anymore
because
of
development.
Basically-
and
I
just
want
to
reiterate
what
I,
what
I
wrote
in
a
letter
to
ed
who's
been
wonderful
about
this.
In
an
early
meeting
about
development
in
12
years
ago,
mark
mcgonagall
said
that
it
was
in
the
favor
of
south
boston.
R
What
was
that
all
about?
I
mean
absolutely.
The
opposite
has
happened.
You
can't
have
people
walking
around
saying
one
thing
and
then
the
city
doing
the
opposite.
It
just
it's
not
working.
Something
has
to
change.
So
please
get
on
this.
It's
not
it's,
not
casual.
It's
it's
important!
Thank
you.
A
Thank
you
so
much
elizabeth
octavia
did
you
want
to
say
something.
J
I
really
I
entered
the
wrong
information,
but
that's
okay.
I
just
want
to
thank
you
for
putting
everything
together
to
help
us
out,
because
I
didn't
really
know
anything
about
this.
I
found
this
out
from
another
friend
of
mine,
but
thank
you.
Thank
you
so
much
for
putting
something
together
and
I'm
hoping
that
we're
going
to
be
looking
forward
to
some
good
changes
in
our
favor
as
seniors
that
own
the
home.
J
The
other
thing,
too,
that
I
wanted
to
say
there's
a
lot
of
us
a
senior
also
that
has
what
you
call
them
time,
shares
and
stuff.
If
there's
anything
that
could
be
done
about
that
a
program
to
explain
to
them
how?
Because
I'm
getting
too
many
calls
of
people
looking
for
people,
time
share
owners
to
sell
their
property
and
they're
pushy
they're,
very
pushy.
J
A
You
great
thank
you
and
miss
octavia.
Could
you
just
say
your
full
name
for
the
record,
so
we
have
it
octavia
collins,
great!
Thank
you.
Thank
you.
So
much
and
teresa
did
you
want
to
say
something.
A
All
right,
then,
the
one
person
I'll
wait
if
teresa's
got
something
and
then
otherwise
I've
got
somebody
who's
still
under
galaxy
s10
plus
in
attendance.
But
did
you
want
to
say
anything.
B
Okay,
yes,
my
name
is
joanne
greenbrooks
and
I'm
retired,
and
I
live
in
the
hyde
park
area
and
I've
left.
I've
lived
here
for
over
25
years
and
once
I
I
became
aware
of
this
meeting
based
on
an
email
from
a
friend
regarding
the
increase
in
the
tax
basis,
because
I
I
read
through
the
material
and
I
and
I
thought
that
I
understood
it,
but
clearly
there's
much
more
going
on
that.
B
I
I
didn't
understand
at
the
time
that
I
do
now
regarding
this
whole
increase
and
I
would
like
to
make
suggestions
to
the
effective
in
the
in
the
long
term.
B
You
know
making
changes
in
the
state
law
and
in
the
short
term,
making
the
abatements
and
referrals
and
other
programs
that
would
help
reduce
the
amount
of
taxes
that
the
seniors
are
paying
much
more
affordable,
even
maybe
even
considering
putting
together
a
senior
tax
rate
that
would
be,
in
the
long
term,
beneficial
to
all
people
who
become
seniors
and
therefore
they
know
that
there's
a
tax
range.
B
I
don't
know
whether
you'll
base
it
on
income
or
you
base
it
on
property,
values
or
what,
but
it
all
needs
to
be
put
on
the
table
for
discussion,
and
that's
pretty
much
all
that
I
have
to
say
about
it
and
wanted
there
to
be
an
ongoing
discussion
about
it
and
delaying
the
implementation
of
the
actual
tax
collection.
If
that
is
possible.
A
Great,
thank
you
so
much
joanne
and
I'm
glad
we
found
you
for
your
testimony
all
right.
I
think
that
brings
to
a
conclusion
public
testimony
on
this
and
and
again
I'm
really.
I'm
really
grateful
to
the
members
of
the
public
who
came
and
spoke
today
and
and
also
you
know,
I
think,
to
counselor
flynn's
suggestion:
we're
only
gonna
we're
only
gonna
get
somewhere
here.
A
If
we
keep
public
voices
in
the
mix
about
what
would
actually
make
a
difference
and
what
are
the,
what
are
the
things
that
are,
I'm
hitting
you
the
hardest
and
I
think
we've
heard
a
lot
of
really
helpful
stuff
from
you
all
today.
So
I
just
want
to
thank
everybody
for
for
that,
and
also
to
everybody
who
wrote
into
us
with
with
public
testimony.
So
those
have
all
been
circulated
to
counselors.
A
Counselors
have
read
them
and
they
also
become
part
of
the
public
record
on
this,
which,
given
the
fact
that
we're
going
to
continue
talking
about
all
this
going
forward
like
we're
going
to
be
keeping
all
those
things
in
mind.
So
again,
I
just.
I
really
want
to
appreciate
everybody
for
participating
today
and
counselor
flynn
for
for
leading
us
off
before
before.
We
conclude
I
want
to.
A
I
want
to
give
the
commissioner
an
opportunity
to
say
a
closing
word
and
then
I'll
go
to
my
colleagues,
starting
with
the
lead
sponsor
for
a
closing
award.
So,
commissioner,
arnell.
I
I
just
want
to
take
take
a
minute
to
thank
everybody
for
their
their
time
today
and
to
thank
the
constituents
for
voicing
their
concerns.
I
I
I
Hopefully
it
was
just
a
one-off
bad
experience,
so
I
would
suggest
that
you
call
our
taxpayer
referral
assistance
center
to
to
kind
of
talk
through
the
details
of
some
of
those
programs
to
see
if
there's
something
that
you
can
take
advantage
of,
because
all
of
our
exemption
programs
are
they're
there
for
people
to
take
advantage
of
them
like
I
want
as
many
people
as
qualified
to
take
advantage
of
them,
because
that's
why
they
exist,
and
I
want
to
thank
all
the
constituents
as
well.
A
Great,
thank
you
so
much,
commissioner
councillor
flynn.
I
think
I
think
a
number
of
counselors
just
had
to
go
to
11
o'clock,
so
I
think
we've
just
got
you
for
a
closing
word
and
that's
appropriate
as
a
lead
sponsor.
So
please.
C
Thank
you,
councilor
bark
and
thank
you,
commissioner
aronello.
I
want
to
say
thank
you
to
both
of
you
for
your
work
on
this
important
issue.
What
I
heard
today
is
you
know,
government
doesn't
def
government
doesn't
have
all
the
answers
in
listening
to
the
testimony
of
residents
across
the
city.
They
provided
some
excellent
feedback
recommendations,
a
path
forward,
so
that
would
be
my.
C
That
would
be
something
I
would
like
to
do.
I
know
we
talked
about
it
briefly.
Council
bloc
continue
this
conversation
in
a
working
session
with
with
you,
commissioner,
in
in
with
the
residents
of
boston,
and
let's
continue
to
discuss
proposals
on
how
we
can
address
this
issue,
and
you
know
this
isn't
about
blaming
anybody.
C
It's
not
placing
the
blame
on
the
state
or
the
federal
federal
government
or
the
or
the
city
government,
but
it's
about
coming
together
to
see
how
we
can
solve
a
problem,
so
we
might
want
to
get
some
of
our
colleagues
from
the
state
government
as
well
to
weigh
in
again
some
people
from
the
some
residents
and
city
officials,
state
officials,
but
what's
important,
is
listening
to
the
residents
and
the
the
great
feedback
we
got
we
received
today
will
be
helpful
to
us
as
we
as
we
move
forward
again.
C
Thank
you
councillor
bach,
thank
you,
commissioner
aaron
ello
and
I
always
say-
and
it's
not
just
a
cliche
cliche
but
boston
works
best
when
we
work
together
and
that's
what
I
saw
here
today.
Thank
you,
council,
buck.
A
Thank
you
so
much
counselor
flynn,
yes,
and
I
think
definitely
we
should
keep
this
docket
in
committee
and
have
a
working
session,
and
I
think,
in
between
times,
we've
got
a
bit
of
work
to
do
both
we'll
be
sending
some
data
requests
over
to
assessing
for
some
of
the
things
that
colleagues
said
today
and
then
also.
I
think
that
you
know
look
forward
to
working
with
your
staff
and
others
around
some.
Some
of
the
things
that
came
up
today.
A
I
think
we
could
probably
sort
of
write
down
as
like
a
few
types
of
options
for
the
types
of
programs
that
we
might
be
thinking
about
and
have
something
something
for
us
all
to
be
talking
about
around
a
table
or
a
virtual
table
in
a
working
group
context
with
the
residents.
A
But
I
just
I
just
want
to
strongly
echo
your
thanks
to
all
the
residents
who
made
the
time
today
to
to
listen
and
then
to
speak
and
really
talk
about
what
the
experience
looks
like
for
you
on
the
ground
in
our
neighborhoods.
So
thank
you
to
the
lead
sponsor
and
to
the
commissioner
and,
and
I
should
say
to
pam
from
the
municipal
research
bureau
for
being
here
earlier
and
all
of
our
colleagues
with
that.
This
hearing
of
the
ways
and
means
committee
of
the
boston
city
council
is
adjourned.
Thank
you
all.
Thank
you.