►
From YouTube: Committee on Ways & Means on May 31, 2018
Description
Docket #0626 - Hearing regarding flexible payment plans for property tax arrears
A
Brighton
district
city
councillor
today
is
Thursday
May
31st.
We
are
here
from
folks
from
budget
and
collections
regarding
docket
zero.
Six
to
six
order
for
a
hearing
regarding
adoption
of
flexible
payment
plans
for
property
tax
arrears.
I
am
joined
by
the
sponsor
of
that
hearing
order
to
my
right
councillor,
Lydia
Edwards
I'd
like
to
remind
folks
that
this
is
a
public
hearing.
It's
being
broadcast,
live
and
recorded
on
Comcast
channel,
8,
r,
CN,
82
and
Verizon
1964.
A
It
asked
folks
in
the
chamber
to
silence
their
electronic
devices
at
the
conclusion,
or
in
this
case
of
the
conclusion
of
the
presentation
from
the
administration.
We
will
take
public
testimony
and
then
open
it
up
for
questions
from
myself,
and/or,
the
sponsor
and
or
anybody
else
that
joins
us
again.
A
B
You
thanks
councillor
seal
moan,
councillor
Edwards
I
am
a
handi
I'm,
the
chief
of
administration
and
Finance,
and
the
collector
treasurer
for
the
city
of
Boston
I'm
joined
by
Celia
Barton
who's,
the
first
assistant
collector
treasurer
and
Gail
Willett,
who
is
the
Commissioner
of
assessing
for
the
city
of
Boston.
As
you're
aware,
the
city
of
Boston
relies
on
property
tax
for
70%
of
its
annual
revenue,
that
property
tax
enables
us
to
invest
in
our
parks,
our
schools,
our
libraries,
public
safety
and
more
critical
services
that
the
city
provides
property.
B
B
In
the
past
3
years
there
have
only
been
45
foreclosure
judgments
of
those
32
were
vacant,
land
or
properties,
13
of
the
properties
were
occupied
properties
and
of
which
8
were
able
to
be
redeemed
by
the
owner
and
4
are
in
the
process
of
being
redeemed
by
the
owner.
The
single
foreclosure
since
May
1st
of
2015
has
been
on
a
commercial
property
which
it
was
a
gas
station.
B
The
city
has
had
zero
foreclosure
judgments
on
properties
that
the
owner
filed
an
answer
in
the
Land
Court
and
or
contacted
the
city
of
Boston
as
a
point
of
comparison
for
2017
alone,
bank
foreclosures,
totaled
139
parcels.
The
process
processes
that
the
city
follows
for
the
collection
of
property
taxes
are
required
by
Mass
General
Laws.
B
We
do
understand
that
there
is
a
population
of
residents
that
is
particularly
vulnerable
and
may
struggle
with
their
ability
to
pay
property
taxes,
particularly
in
this
active
real
estate
market.
We're
committed
to
working
with
taxpayers
that
have
that
have
difficulty
with
their
tax
bills.
We
work
with
the
tools
that
provide
as
much
flexibility
to
the
taxpayer
as
possible.
Helping
seniors
retain
their
homes
was
a
key
component
in
the
mayor's
housing
plan.
B
The
city
offers
interest-free
home
improvement
loans
that
require
zero
payment
until
the
house
is
sold
or
transferred
in
the
city
also
offers
foreclosure
prevention
and
general
counseling
to
homeowners.
Since
2014,
these
efforts
have
helped
790
homeowners
stay
in
their
homes.
The
city
has
consistently
provided
the
maximum
amount
of
tax
relief
allowed
under
the
state
classification
formula,
which
gives
the
ability
to
tax
business
properties
at
a
higher
rate
than
homeowners.
65
percent
of
property
value
is
classified
as
residential.
However,
the
residential
class
only
pays
39%
of
the
city's
2.2
billion
dollar
tax
levy.
B
The
city
offers
a
wide
range
of
exemption
programs
for
homeowners,
who
are
elderly,
blind,
surviving
spouses
or
minors,
children
of
deceased
parents
veterans
or
members
of
the
National
Guard
serving
overseas
during
the
tax
year.
The
city
has
also
actively
raised
benefit
amounts,
while
broadening
eligibility
requirements
for
those
programs.
In
the
past
years,
the
elderly
exemption
was
increased
from
seven
hundred
and
fifty
dollars
to
seven
hundred
and
fifty
dollars
from
five
hundred
and
twenty
ten
and
the
eligibility
age
was
reduced
from
65
to
65
from
70
and
income
limits.
B
B
Additionally,
in
FY
18,
a
tax
deferral
for
long-term
homeowners
who
are
55
years
or
older,
with
a
net
tax
liability
that
is
at
least
10
percent
greater
than
the
prior
year
became
effective.
Another
tool
in
the
City
of
Boston
is
the
senior
property
tax
work
off
program.
The
city
has
increased
creased
the
work
off
credit
maximum
for
the
city's
senior
property
tax
work
off
program
from
1000
to
1500
for
FY
19.
These
tools
are
important,
but
they're
often
underutilized.
B
The
city's
administration
and
Finance
team
will
be
working
with
DND
and
the
elderly
Commission
to
develop
ways
that
we
can
further
improve
communication
and
improve
the
tools
and
resources
that
we
are
providing
to
residents.
We
are
committed
to
continuing
to
use
the
data
and
information
that
we
have
so
that
we
can
help
identify
at-risk
residents
and
trends
and
so
that
we
can
better
educate
residents
on
our
available
resources.
B
Ultimately,
we
believe
that
adopting
62a
may
not
be
a
viable
solution
for
the
City
of
Boston.
It
ultimately
does
not
address
the
underlying
issue
of
why
a
taxpayer
is
not
able
to
pay
their
taxes.
There's
certainly
a
lot
of
data
that
the
City
of
Boston
has
access
to
in
terms
of
who
might
be
struggling
to
pay
their
taxes.
But
at
this
point,
we've
not
had
enough
time
to
understand
how
exactly
62a
might
impact
folks
in
the
city
of
Boston
and
what
unintended
consequences
might
be
related
to
the
adoption
of
the
of
62a.
B
If
our
goal
is
to
provide
taxpayers
with
real
relief,
that
makes
economic
sense,
we
believe
it.
The
best
course
of
action
will
be
reaching
out
to
taxpayers
earlier
in
the
process
so
that
we
can
educate
them
about
the
tools
available
to
them
and
try
to
prevent
them
from
reaching
the
point
where
they
might
need
any
type
of
payment
plan.
B
Our
goal
is
to
help
the
taxpayers
before
they
reach
the
critical
point
where
they
become
delinquent
in
their
taxes
and
as
I
mentioned,
we
have
a
number
of
tools
and
resources
that
are
available
to
them
and
we
will
continue
to
work
to
help
residents
maximize
those
programs
and
educate
folks
who
may
need
those
programs
and
within
the
city
of
Boston.
We
thank
you
for
your
time
and
we
look
forward
to
answering
any
questions
that
you
may
have
Thank.
A
C
You
so
much
chairman,
siamo
and
councillors.
Edwards
and
Baker
I
really
appreciate
this
opportunity
to
discuss
what
we
believe
is
a
really
important
issue.
My
name
is
Nadine
Cohen
I'm,
the
managing
attorney
of
the
consumer
rights
unit
at
Greater,
Boston
legal
services
and,
as
you
all
know,
we
represent
many
low
income
homeowners
in
the
city
of
Boston,
and
we
have
seen
that
low-income
homeowners
often
experience
great
difficulty
in
paying
their
property
taxes.
C
Many,
as
has
been
mentioned,
are
a
are
elder
and
or
disabled
and
simply
do
not
have
sufficient
income
to
keep
up
with
their
increasing
tax
bills.
Tax
foreclosures
and
even
the
threat
of
the
tax
foreclosure
really
has
a
destabilizing
effect
on
some
of
our
most
vulnerable
residents
and
on
the
communities
in
which
they
live.
Many
elders
and
those
with
disabilities
are
house
rich,
but
cash,
poor,
they're
on
limited,
fixed
incomes,
and
they
often
don't
have
their
money.
C
The
money
to
pay
their
taxes
and,
as
has
been
stated
many
times,
are
not
aware
of
certain
opportunities
for
tax
abatements
and
tax
deferrals.
In
addition,
we
have
seen
elders,
particularly
those
with
cognitive
disabilities
that
impede
their
ability
to
understand
their
tax
obligations.
Many
times
after
the
death
of
a
spouse
or
the
inheritance
of
property.
Homeowners
simply
don't
understand
what
their
obligations
are
and
counselor
co-moh
I
had
a
client
from
Brighton
several
years
ago,
who
was
a
developmentally
disabled
person
inherited
the
property
from
his
parents?
C
The
tax
bills
came
in
his
parents
name,
he
just
put
them
aside,
never
paid,
and
we
tried
for
a
very
long
time
to
get
the
city
to
agree
to
some
reasonable
payment
plan
and
we
couldn't-
and
our
experience
has
been
even
when
homeowners
want
to
reach
an
agreement
to
pay
their
back
taxes.
This
requires
a
significant
payment
of
25%
of
the
arrears
upfront
and
those
are
payments
that
are
beyond
many
of
our
low-income
homeowners
ability
and
remember.
This
25%
was
set
when
taxes
were
way
lower.
C
C
For
month,
for
our
most
vulnerable
residents,
we
have
had
many
clients
where
we
have
tried
to
work
with
the
city
to
extend
the
period
of
more
than
one
year,
and
we
have
been
told
that
the
city
was
unable
to
do
that
and
unable
to
waive
any
of
the
interest.
However,
under
the
state
law,
Mass
General
Laws
chapter
60,
section
62
a
it
specifically
states
that
cities
can
extend
repayment
agreements
to
a
term
of
up
to
five
years
and
also
waive
up
to
50%
of
the
accrued
interest.
C
So
we
would
strongly
urge
Boston
to
adopt
these
provisions
and
adopt
more
flexibility
in
payment
plans.
This
would
be
a
win-win
for
the
city
and
for
homeowners.
Boston
will
get
the
back
taxes
they're
owed,
maybe
over
a
longer
period
of
time,
but
at
least
they
will
get
them,
and
the
low-income
or
disabled
homeowners
will
have
an
opportunity
to
pay
their
taxes
in
an
affordable
way
and
the
city
could,
if
it
chooses
adopt
criteria
for
such
payment
plans,
you
could
base
it
on
income.
C
You
could
base
it
on
disability,
on
hardship,
unemployment,
I,
believe
Springfield,
says
if
you're
unemployed
for
the
past
six
months.
You
might
be
eligible
and
I
think
the
burden
on
the
city
of
extending
plans
up
to
five
years
and
waiving
some
of
the
interest
is
minimal,
while
the
benefits
to
the
homeowners
are
really
great
and
I.
Think
adopting
this
would
be
one
more
tool
that
the
city
could
use
and
I
know
that
there
are
abatements
and
deferrals.
C
We
find
many,
many
people
don't
really
know
about
them
and
they're
not
aware
of
their
eligibility
for
these
programs,
certainly
not
the
deferral
of
taxes,
which
would
reduce
the
interest
to
4%
from
16%
and
I.
Just
want
to
note
that
elders
who
have
tax
arrears
are
often
not
eligible
for
reverse
mortgages,
and
we
see
a
big
problem
with
reverse
mortgages,
because
many
times
if
an
elder
is
late
on
their
tax,
payment
or
hospitalized,
the
reverse
mortgage
companies
pay
the
full
tax
bill.
C
Even
if
that
person
were
eligible
for
the
homeowners
exemption
or
an
elder
or
disability,
exact
date
meant
so
I
think
that
there
are
a
lot
of
problems
there.
So,
on
behalf
of
the
low-income
clients
of
Greater
Boston
legal
services,
we
urge
the
council
to
adopt
the
provisions
of
chapter
60,
section.
62
a
to
allow
greater
flexibility
and
we
particularly
urge
extending
payment
plans
up
to
five
years
and
reducing
interest
up
to
50%.
C
In
addition,
we
really
feel
that
the
city
should
introduce
a
Home
Rule
petition,
which
would
reduce
the
requirement
that
you
have
to
make
a
25%
down
payment.
I
mean
that's
really
prohibitive
and,
and
it
makes
it
virtually
impossible
for
our
low-income
and
elder
homeowners
to
who
have
significant
arrears,
and
sometimes
that
happens
to
bring
their
accounts
current
and
I
think
these
changes
would
help
the
city
collect
more
taxes
and
allow
homeowners
a
realistic
opportunity
to
make
their
back
tax
payments.
Thank
you
thank.
C
A
D
D
D
D
My
home
is
my
only
property
second
I'm,
not
here
only
for
the
pleasure
of
meeting
new
friends
but
of
necessity,
because
the
city
has
petitioned
for
the
foreclosure
against
my
much-loved
home
and
also
because
of
the
impossible
options
the
city
imposes
on
folks.
Like
me,
with
this
outdated,
exploitative,
short-sighted
payment
plan
soon
to
be
reformed,
I
trust.
D
However,
to
date
under
hardship
and
sacrifice,
I've
paid
the
city
total
of
seven
thousand
five
hundred
and
twenty
five
dollars
against
the
principal
amounts
of
my
real
estate
taxes
on
installment
since
2008
more
than
the
principal
amounts
for
all
years,
not
presently
under
Clause
18
appeal,
I've
relied
on
Clause
eighteen
heavily
over
the
years.
They
know
me
down
there,
perhaps
something
you
do
too.
D
Was
the
process
often
made
unhealthily
difficult
and
sometimes
abusive
through
the
assessor's
office,
partly
due
to
the
arbitrariness
and
capriciousness
of
the
present
system,
which
forces
that
office
to
administer
two
conflicting
tasks
to
both
one
helped?
The
city
raise
revenue
and
two
to
administer
a
refractor,
effective
relief
under
the
likes
of
clause
18
to
the
aging
and
the
poor
and
the
infirm
among
Boston's,
most
vulnerable
homeowners.
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
A
E
E
I
think
this
is
a
reasonable
opt-in
policy
and
it's
been
granted
by
our
Commonwealth
and
the
opportunity
we
have
here
now
is
not
to
just
adopt
something
wholesale,
but
to
sit
down
together
and
come
up
with
a
string
of
options
that
make
paying
taxes
and
make
our
taxpayers
lives
easier
in
Boston.
I
want
to
be
clear.
This
is
not
a
critique
of
the
work.
That's
going
on
the
fact
that
we
have
99%
collection.
The
fact
that
we
have
the
higher
bond
rating
is
a
testament
to
your
incredible
efforts.
E
E
E
B
So
councillor
first
I
want
to
respond
to
what
you
just
said
about
the
adoption
of
62a
I.
Think
what
we're
not
prepared
to
do
today
is
to
say
yes,
we
should
adopt
62
a
I
think
we
agree
that
there's
a
lot
more
information
that
needs
to
be
gathered
and
there's
more
impact.
That
needs
to
be
understood,
and
so
we're
not
in
a
place
today
where
we
are
prepared
to
be
supportive
at
opting
62
a.
B
We
absolutely
are
interested
in
continuing
to
work
with
the
council
to
understand
the
issues
that
face
homeowners
and
what
solutions
might
be
better
availed
to
help
homeowners
to
be
able
to
stay
current
on
their
taxes
and
to
be
able
to
stay
in
their
homes.
So
I
think
that
that
is
certainly
a
shared
goal.
But
the
specific
question
that
was
posed
to
us
is
adoption
of
62
a
and
we
don't
have
enough
information
and
we
have
not
had
enough
time
to
thoroughly
vet.
E
E
E
E
G
A
G
B
In
general,
we're
talking
about
about
a
hundred
and
fifty
thousand
parcels
right
that
every
year
paying
taxes
we
typically
end
the
year.
The
fourth
quarter,
with
something
north
of
ten
thousand
demands
people
who
are
behind
on
their
taxes
for
that
year.
The
the
actual
cases
that
move
to
tax
title
are
about
1700s,
so
you
see
that
sort
of
winnowing
and
then
the
petitions
filed,
which
is
the
actual
beginning
of
the
foreclosure
process,
we're
about
500
last
year
and
a
little
bit
south
of
300
in
the
two
prior
years.
B
The
problem
with
inferring
anything
from
those
numbers
is
that
that
is
not
a
perfectly
linear
process.
Obviously
there
are
things
that
happen
over
the
course
of
that
that
might
delay
something.
So
it's
not
like
you
didn't
pay
your
taxes
one
year
the
next
year.
Your
petition
right
there
may
be
something
that
comes
up,
and
so
it's
hard
to.
You
know
to
the
point
of
understanding
the
data
it's
hard
to
actually
take
away
from
that,
whether
that
is
what
the
timing
is
for
any
one
of
those
parcels
and
then
take
a
sort
of
summary
look
at.
E
That,
but
it
seems,
then
you
just
taking
that
you
said
500
last
year
right
so
there's
a
lot
of
people
who
maybe
the
city
is
not
going
to
pursue
tax
foreclosure
against
of
that
500.
You
won't
right,
but
there's
a
lot
of
people
who
still
then
oh
the
city,
money,
sure
right
so
they're
in
this
purgatory
land
and
right
now
the
only
official
kind
of
relief
they
have
is
either
the
two
that
you
mentioned,
which
is
that
they're,
55
or
older
or.
F
E
B
B
E
E
Is
there
a
particular
beyond
the
so
you
had
mentioned
that
sixty
two
a
was
considered
burdensome
in
other
cities
because
they
would,
along
with
having
to
do
the
payment
plan
option,
they
would
also
have
to
pay
their
current
quarterly
taxes.
Wouldn't
you
have
to
do
the
same
thing
if
you
had
to
do
it
under
your
current
payment
plan,
you'd
have
one
year
to
do
the
25
percent
and
pay
off
the
back.
Taxes
plus
still
make
your
quarterly
taxes
short.
B
It's
not
it's
not
a
different
construct,
it's
just
that
it
continues.
It
doesn't
present
a
new
alternative
in
terms
of
like
a
deferral,
for
example,
you
weren't
paying
any
current
axis.
If
you
don't
elect
you
right,
and
so
it
is
certainly
still
paying
staying
current
on
your
taxes,
as
well
as
making
progress
on
your
payments.
F
E
G
E
B
B
We
are
mindful
that
taxpayers
give
us
their
data
for
a
particular
reason
when
paying
their
taxes,
and
that
may
not
necessarily
align
with
the
data
that
they
and
the
reason
why
they've
given
data
to
other
departments,
and
so
we
want
to
think
about
ways
that
we
can
further
that
education
on
that
outreach,
that
is
also
being
respectful
of
taxpayer
data
and
the
wishes
of
taxpayers
in
terms
of
communication
and
involvement
in
the
city
of
Boston.
In
in
those
very
questions.
E
C
Have
been
told
that
the
city
has
a
policy
that
only
allows
one
year
for
the
payment
and
the
25
percent,
the
25
percent
is
by
statute,
but
the
one
year
is
also
prohibitive
and
we've
been
told.
That's
the
city's
policy
and
I
would
say
in
the
cases
I've
had
in
other
people.
My
office
have
had
we've,
never
had
any
ability
to
make
an
exception
to
that,
and
even
where
you
know
there
are
real
hardships
and
real
ways.
Someone
could
pay
over
a
longer
time.
Thank.
E
C
C
A
Like
you
know,
I
used
to
work
for
the
elderly
Commission
and
you
know
I
would
suggest,
and
if
you're
not
already
doing
it
before
you,
you
place
a
lien,
make
sure
the
elderly
Commission
knows
about
it.
Maybe
a
few
months
or
a
quarter
at
least
before
the
lien
goes
on,
and
you
know
have
them.
Do
the
outreach,
maybe
but
I'm
I,
don't
know
why
you
would
want
to
do
anything
but
the
deferral
program,
even
the
20th
of
20,
if
it
was
a
10%
down
payment
and
16%
I.
C
A
C
B
One
thing
I
will
say:
is
we
don't?
We
don't
have
that
demographic
information
at
this
point
that
those
are
not
tied
to
the
parcels,
and
so
again
it
is
something
that
we
certainly
can
look
into
in
terms
of.
Can
we
can
we
line
that
data
up
to
be
able
to
answer
those
questions,
but
but
again,
I
think
we
need
to
be
very
careful
about
using
taxpayer
information
in
a
way
that
was
not
sought
by
the
taxpayer
initially
when
they,
when
they
gave
us
that
information
right.
A
Right,
but
when
they,
if
they're
getting
a
lien
I,
think
any
intervention
would
be
even
if
it's
not
welcomed,
it's
probably
incumbent
on
us
to
do
that
right.
You
don't
know
who
you're
gonna
get
so
I
would
just
say.
As
someone
who
worked
for
the
elderly
Commission,
that
was
something
that
we
try
to
do
all
the
time
you
know.
What's
a
call
with
seniors
at
risk
pro
elders
at
risk,
there's
all
kinds
of
great
elderly
programs
that
you
know
doesn't
necessarily
require
the
city
to
do
it,
but
you
know
interagency
collaboration,
maybe
something.
A
Right
and
just
just
an
FYI,
because
I
know
Emma's
pretty
new
myself
Steve
Murphy
and
Bill
Linehan
in
February
of
2015,
introduced
for
the
first
time
to
allow
the
exemption
program
to
be
lowered
to
55
in
an
attempt
and
I
tell
the
story
a
lot.
My
sister
worked
out
of
high
school
18
years
old
for
Verizon
until
she
was
about
57
I
think
they
laid
her
off.
A
She
is
a
great
position
with
great
earnings
and
like
many
people
in
that
age
group,
my
age
group,
if
you
will
you
you,
you
know,
you've
worked
a
career
and
you
make
a
certain
amount
of
money.
And
now
your
skill
set
is
no
longer
needed
and
you're
looking
at
going
from
a
hundred
thousand
to
forty
thousand
and
the
implications
on
trying
to
pay
a
mortgage
support
a
family
all
that
the
55
year
old,
Home
Rule
petition,
which
the
mayor
actually
helped
sponsor
I
mean
I.
Think
we
should
pursue
that
anyway.
A
But
that's
an
another
question
for
another
hearing,
but
I
would
I
would
just
urge
you,
mr.
Arnold
I'm
sorry
mr.
Moore,
to
seriously
consider
the
deferral
program.
It's
certainly
you
know.
Do
the
math
like
it's
it's
you
know,
I,
don't
know
what
you
all
I,
don't
know
where
you
live
in
JP
I,
don't
know
what
your
house
is
worth,
but
you
should
certainly
in
addition
to
your
lawyers,
should
probably
get
an
accountant
to
help
you
with
with
some
of
these
issues
just
just
to
crunch
the
numbers.
D
C
D
A
D
A
Saying
four
percent
interest,
which
I
brought
up
an
another
hearing
that
Newton
does
one
just
saying
you
know
maybe
somewhere
between
one
and
four
again
to
help
folks
like
mr.
Moore,
but
seriously
like
is
an
advocate
as
a
you
know,
as
an
advocate
myself,
I
would
seriously
urge
you
to
look
into
the
deferral
program.
This
program
doesn't
do
anything
at
what
would
for
you
any
good.
Well,
okay,
well,.
G
C
A
H
B
B
That
they,
they
were
not
able
to
keep
up
with
the
schedule
of
payments
and
therefore
the
interest
rate
goes
back
to
16%,
so
they
basically
is
just
sort
of
end
up
right
back
where
they
were
I,
think
acting
a
much
smaller
pool
of
people
and
basically
there's
relatively
few
people
left
in
that
program
as
well.
So
I
don't
think
that
it's
all
of
that
is
to
say
I,
think
to
the
councillors
point
and
from
the
points
from
GPL
s.
Certainly,
we
should
be
looking
at
what
are
the
options
on
the
table?
B
The
information
that
we've
got
back
from
a
cursory
review
of
talking
to
a
few
cities
and
towns
is
that.
Well,
this
certainly
is
an
option.
It
doesn't
appear
to
have
created
sort
of
tangible
results
in
providing
relief
for
taxpayers,
whereas
something
like
a
deferral,
really
does
address
that
interest
rate.
H
B
B
It
depends
on
how
you
set
up
a
sixty
to
a
so
the
the
way
that
the
process
would
work
is
that
you
would
adopt
sixty
two
a
and
then
you
would
need
to
pass
an
ordinance
to
put
the
actual
structure
in
place
and
that's
where
you
would
decide
what
are
the
criteria
that
makes
somebody
eligible
for
this
from
the
cities
and
towns
that
we've
talked
to
there's
been
a
mix.
Some
people
include
some
cities
and
towns
include
commercial,
so
I'm
excluded.
H
H
H
So
then
we
would,
we
would
vote
to
opt
in
then
would
need
to
set
up
the
structure
right.
Okay,
we
talked.
Is
there
in
I?
Don't
think
there
is
what
I'm
gonna
ask
question
anyway.
Like
so,
was
there
any
sort
of
a
trigger
on
on
like
when
someone
passes
away
or
like?
Is
there
a
way
that
we
would
be
able
to
get
a
trigger?
So
we
could
be
maybe
more
proactive
for
someone
parents
died
and
then
an
adult.
Whoever
you
know,
inherits
inherits
a
building,
sometimes
you're
not
capable
of
running
a
building.
I
Thank
You
mr.
chair
I'm,
the
last
the
last
of
MD
from
this
trio.
Thank
you
to
the
author,
councilor
headwords
and
mr.
Moore.
Thank
you
for
sharing
your
story.
I
apologize
I
was
a
little
bit
late,
but
I
just
want
to
make
sure
I
understand
and
I'm
familiar
with
your
story.
Mr.
Moore
could
mr.
Moore
still,
if
he
decided,
could
he
still
opt
into
the
deferral
for.
I
The
future
tax
is
not
on
what's
currently
he's
in
a
race
for
a,
but
for
future
taxes
right,
okay,
well
again,
I
I
would
defer
I,
know
counselor
the
chairman
of
ways
and
means
consurtio
Moe's,
but
worked
on
budgets
since
I've
been
here
and
maybe
that's
an
opportunity.
You
guys
could
talk
about
I
do
think.
There's
sounds
like
addressing
at
least
this
specific
case
of
a
constituent.
It
sounds
like
there
could
be
a
an
opportunity
there
to
discuss
sort
of
the
next
steps
that
maybe
may
be
beneficial
to
you.
I
I
I
think
one
thing
that
I
agree
and
I
the
onus
is
on
all
of
us.
I'd
even
say
particularly
members
of
the
council,
is
that
we
do
have
some
good
services
available.
This
comes
up,
you
know
not
frequently,
but
not
infrequently,
either,
where
I
will
hear
from
constituents.
You're
dealing
with
a
whole
host
of
issues
and
I
know
that
DND
I
know
that
the
home
center
I
know
that
we
do
have
some
good
information.
I
I
B
B
Some
folks
are
just
dealing
directly
with
Celia
chaplains
on
their
tax
bills
and
I
think
that
there
is
certainly
room
for
greater
coordination
amongst
those
groups,
in
particular
about
trying
to
ascertain
where
the
point
is
where
there
might
be
actionable
data
or
or
at
least
helpful
data
about
who
might
be
in
trouble.
You
know
we
mentioned
at
the
beginning
that,
at
the
end
of
the
fourth
quarter
and
FY
18,
we
have
10,000
demands
that
ultimately
results
in
something
like
1,700,
1,600,
liens
and
so
turns
out
of
how
many
153,000
parcels.
B
I
G
F
I
Sixty,
if
you
have
five
plus,
you
can
pay
no
property
taxes
and
then,
when
you
either
sell
that
house
or
transition
to
the
next
life
or
whatever,
then
the
a
rare
age
of
taxes
owed
is
did
is
deducted
from
the
point
of
sale
right.
However,
a
senior
who
qualifies
and
is
deferring
his
or
her
taxes
could
pay.
I
C
I
I
I
I
think
that
I'm
not
being
critical-
quite
the
contrary,
I
think
this
is
a
great
program
and
I
appreciate
sort
of
the
steps
and
I
do
think
you
know
I
will
certainly
make
sure
as
a
district
counselor,
who
represents
probably
the
highest
percentage
of
senior
citizens
in
the
city.
Among
the
nine
council
districts,
west
structures
at
a
quarter
percent
senior
citizens
make
sure
I
do
a
better
job
of
educating
folks
so
that
they
don't
find.
G
G
A
G
A
But
that
would
go
if
someone's
paying
their
property
taxes
but
didn't
pay
a
violation,
a
house
violation
for
some
reason.
That
eventually
goes
on
their
property
tax
bill
correct
and
is
that
counted
in
with
those
liens
like?
If
that's
just
the
only
reason
that
they
get
yeah
so
not
necessarily
I
would
think
that
that's
probably
a
small
number
of
them,
but
that's
possible
sure
yeah.
We.
A
Right
and
I
guess
another
question
I
have
is:
do
we
ever
investigate?
If
say
a
littler
stops
paying
taxes
on
property?
A
do.
We
look
to
see
if
he
owns
other
properties,
okay
and
is
there
a
different
strategy
for
that
seal?
You
like
do
you
say?
Oh
this
guy's
got
five
buildings
and
you
know
he's
just
not
paying
taxes
on
wine.
Is
he
playing
games?
Well,.
J
Sorry
about
that
Thank
You
counsel,
cm
Owen,
Thank,
You,
counselor
Edwards,
feel
leadership
on
this
issue
and
glad
to
learn
as
much
as
I
can
about
this
subject.
One
concern
our
issue
I
had
about
this
issue
is
I
I
see
a
lot
of
elderly
people
in
the
city.
They
were
tired,
their
whole
life
there,
probably
they
might
have
a
million-dollar
home
right
now,
that's
worth
a
million
dollars
and
they
probably
have
a
pension,
maybe
$60,000
a
year,
which
isn't
is
it
much
in
the
belly?
The
belly
surviving.
J
I
know
you
do
have
a
plan,
a
plan
for
them
to
defer
their
property
tax,
but
also
aren't
you
just
deferring
it
that
property
tax
onto
they
have
their
children
if
their
children
inherit
the
home
in
you,
really
we're
really
not
doing
anything
for
that
elderly
couple
at
this
time.
At
this
time
we
might
be
doing
something
for
them,
but
you
know
for
their
family
we're
adding
some
financial
obligations
to
the
family.
That's
that's
a
concern.
I
have
it's.
B
True
that
in
deferral
that
property
taxes
are
are
due
at
the
sort
of
transfer
of
that
property,
so
whether
that
is
the
sale
of
a
property
or
inheritance
to
you
know
a
member
of
the
family.
Certainly,
then,
the
member
of
the
family
wouldn't
need
to
pay
those
property
taxes,
but
that's
you
know
been
a
tenant
of
that
of
that
program,
but.
J
What
about
a?
What
about
a
an
elderly
couple
that
that
have
a
million-dollar
home
right
now,
it's
worth
a
million
dollars,
they're,
not
millionaires
and
they're,
barely
able
to
pay
their
bills
that
they're
looking
at
you
know
at
the
store
they're.
Looking
at
the
cost
of
a
can
of
soup
and
they're
trying
to
put
food
on
their
table
and
they're
this
struggling
is
there
any
way
we
can
help
that
type
of
situation.
E
F
I
would
say
it
would
be
one
of
the
personal
exemptions,
so
they
would
be
eligible
for
a
residential
exemption
which
would
be
over
as
of
last
year,
over
$2,500
off
their
tax
bill.
If
they
are
below
a
certain
income
level,
they
would
be
eligible
for
the
personal
exemption
and
then,
additionally,
they
could
defer
so
they're
deferring
the
smallest
amount
of
taxes
that
they
possibly
can
I
would
say.
F
The
other
issue
would
be
that
if
their
children
are
concerned
about
inheriting
the
house,
then
they
certainly
can
make
some
payments
towards
the
deferral
so
they're
not
deferring
the
entire
amount
most
likely.
These.
This
couple
would
have
children
that
were
of
a
working
age
that
would
be
able
to
help
them
by
making
payments
now.
I
think.
B
We
talked
about
this
earlier
that
by
making
payments
well
in
the
deferral
program,
you're
not
required
to
make
any
payment,
but
eventually
you
could
basically
afford
the
payment
that
you
know
whatever
it
is
that
you're
able
to
make
and
then
ultimately,
the
tax
bill
is
the
smallest
amount
possible
at
the
time
that
there
is
that
transition.
I.
B
Also,
probably
am
not
the
best
person
to
speak
to
this,
but
I
do
think
that
that
that
particular
case
is
where
the
work
of
the
elderly,
Commission
and
DND
come
in
to
help
folks
and
how
they
manage
that
and
look
at
options
outside
of
city
of
Boston
programs
that
might
help
help
those
families
to
maintain
their
cost
of
living.
My.
J
My
philosophy
would
basically
be
if
anyone's
willing
to
make
a
good-faith
effort
of
paying
their
taxes.
You
know
work
with
them,
give
them
an
opportunity
to
just
stay
in
the
house,
whether
they
pay
$50
a
month
or
$100
a
month
as
long
as
they're
paying
something
it's
in
good
faith.
Give
them
the
opportunity
to
continue
paying
their
taxes
and
give
these
elderly
people
the
opportunity
to
live
in
a
city
that
they
they
helped.
E
C
E
Anything
you
owed
before
right
so
again,
if
it
doesn't
matter
how
I
old
I
age
I
can
be
76
like
mr.
more
if
I
owed
money
before
I
entered
the
deferral
program.
I
still
have
only
one
year,
16
percent
interest
and
a
25%
down
payment
to
pay,
correct,
okay
and
then,
in
terms
of
the
income
to
qualify
for
that
program.
I
just
want
to
make
sure
because
I
think
counselors,
you
almost
specifically
asked.
Is
it
based
on
like
fifty
seven
thousand
dollars,
and
it's
specifically
based
on
a
couple,
am
I
correct.
A
E
F
E
People
and
I
worked
side-by-side
with
those
folks,
while
I
work
for
the
city
and
saw
everyday
how
much
you
know:
I
can
name
them
Jeff
alkanes
and
how
much
Donald
Wright
these
folks
who
work
in
the
city
in
their
departments
and
the
folks
that
they
worked
with,
did
a
lot
and
down.
They
were
almost
social
workers
and
the
things
that
they
did.
We
actually
entered
I
introduced
Nadine
Cohen
to
the
the
REMS
Department
on
a
case
of
a
young
man
who
was
developmentally
disabled
and
we
helped
to
save
his
home.
A
E
E
E
E
I
would
just
you
know,
I
really
do
look
forward
to
working
with
you.
I
do
think
that
the
payment
option,
a
payment
plan
option
should
be
available.
We
can
offer
another
one
and
I
look
forward
to
figuring
out
what
the
best
one
for
Bostonians
is.
If
62a
didn't
work
in
other
cities,
I,
don't
think
amongst
all
of
us
in
the
brain
power
that
we
have
in
this
room,
that
we
can't
come
up
with
the
best
option
for
Bostonians
and
so
I
hope
that
we
have
that
commitment.
A
I
want
to
echo
councillor
Edwards
praise
of
Jeff,
alkanes
and
I.
Think
the
one
foreclosure
you
mentioned
was
in
my
district
and
I
know
that
I
worked
very
closely
with
Jeff
and
we
just
couldn't
get
this
person
to
avail
herself
and
it
went
to
for
Chloe
it's
a
sad
thing,
but
you
know
you
the
old
saying
you
can
bring
the
horse
to
water,
but
you
can't
make
them
drink
right.
A
A
B
I
E
A
Just
say:
I,
don't
know
when
that
program
the
loan
repayment
program
was
implemented
at
the
state
level.
It
seems
like
it
probably
was
a
long
time
ago
when
interest
rates-
oh
really
well
2000,
but
it
seems
to
me
that
the
16
percent
is
kind
of
excessive
right
and
again
I
know
that's
state
right
right.