By: Edward A. Kazanjian
I watched and listened to the FinCom meeting a few nights ago when the various members commented on the “right amount” for the override…ranging from $6.4 to $8.4 million and how the higher the number the declining prospect for passage. There was discussion of asking for two amounts providing some level of support without requiring a large number, all or nothing! I now read today, the Selectmen have gone with the highest number…ergo the least chance of passage or in their case the biggest gamble.
At no time during the meeting was there any discussion about just how the numbers were derived (some attributed to X’s number or Y’s number using names of persons.
Also, I heard no discussion about any available offsets coming from aid, growth, or opportunities to increase revenue. No discussion on the impact of the new High/Middle School on existing fuel and electricity budgets or the impact the enrollment projections used to justify the new building which of course never came to fruition…down 500 students from the projections.
Herein are a few suggestions for consideration before any override could possibly be supported.
A. The existing school budget (indeed the entire premise for the new school) was an enrollment increase of over 500 which never occurred. Current budgets and staffing were based on that premise. Shouldn’t the current budget staffing and costs be scrutinized?
B. The new HS/MS HVAC design includes $2.6 million in rooftop solar panels and 283 geothermal wells for heating and cooling. The building was advertised as Net Zero. This must be reflected in the operating budget for the schools. What portion of the “$5 million in net present savings is reflected?
C. Literature being distributed at a recent High School basketball game states that “the costs of services that residents receive are rising faster than the limit imposed by Prop 2-1/2”…shows the lack of understanding of what Prop 2-1/2 assumed. Municipalities are NOT constrained by an annual 2.5% increased….the law allows for considerable increases to that amount….new growth, debt limits, overrides, etc. Indeed, Belmont in the that past thirty-five years has passed 45% of its overrides, and 70% of its debt exclusions. Also, the Community Preservation Act was passed during this period adding an additional 1.5% annually to the taxes of our citizens.
D. The same literature threatens elimination of school sports and activities. Parents currently pay dearly for these programs. $450 per sport NOT to mention the various booster and fund raiser monies solicited throughout the year.
E. I have heard threats of “privatizing” trash collection (inferring we would pay for this private service). In 1990, the Citizens passed an override specifically so this would never happen. A $2.09 million override was passed to pay for trash removal. At a compounded 2.5% a year, that amount has increased to $4.6 million this year and the cost of this service recently re-bid is currently $2.4 million. Where is the $2.2 million savings this year? At a minimum the Town has gained a million dollars every previous year from this 1990 override for other purposes.
F. The 2001 so called “Roads” override $3.0 million is now valued at $5.16 million (not to mention that one year the Selectmen used this money for other purposes promising Town Meeting this was a one-time only diversion of the funds). Belmont does not allocate the $5.16 million only the $3 million.…where is the $2,100,000?.
What about increasing revenue?
G. A commercial tax rate! Forget the old saw that we do not have enough commercial property or that a commercial rate will drive out development. Think Watertown! Tons of development and a commercial tax rate three times the residential rate and further reductions for owner occupied housing. At the same time, I would propose that ALL non-owner-occupied multi-family residential property would be considered “commercial” and taxed accordingly. Why should a non-resident landlord or a resident renting property pay the same taxes but receive all the tax deductions and depreciation of commercial property? Provide some relief for our home-owners!
H. Don’t close the Burbank (as threatened in by INVESTinBelmont.com) close the Chenery and sell the property to a developer. The site would sell for tens of millions! This windfall invested would provide $2.5 million annually. A nice development of about 100 units of senior housing would provide options for our seniors who wish to stay in Belmont and generate more than a million dollars annually in property taxes with no impact on the schools.
I. Get rid of the CPA…the 1.5% additional tax was approved by less than 2% of voters…at a minimum let any senior opt out! Put it on the ballot, the seniors in Belmont need a tax break!
J. Prop 2-1/2 reduced Excise Tax to $25/m of valuation from $66/m. It also provides for restoring it to the former amount by Citizen vote. The Town collects $3.3 million in Excise Tax…at $66/m after exempting all seniors Belmont could raise an additional $3.7 million.
K. PILOT…payment in lieu of taxes. Remember the McLean fiasco a few years back? Not only did they stop paying Belmont $500,000 PILOT, the Town had to actually reimburse McLean $1.5 million for costs and studies that they had they paid for after their development did not take place. Well…their development is back and I’ve heard they are budgeting a $1.5 million PILOT for FY 24. Is that shown in any budget projection?
Let’s recap…
| A. School enrollment over budget | $ 500,000 |
| B. HVAC Budget | $ 600,000 |
| C. New growth and other adjustments | $ 300,000 |
| D. Sports and activities | $ 0 |
| E. Trash override | $ 2,200,000 |
| F. Roads override | $ 2,100,000 |
| G. Relief for homeowners | $ 0 |
| H. Sell Chenery! Prorated | $ 3,500,000 |
| I. Relief for Seniors | $ (500,000) |
| J. Excise tax…relief for Seniors | $ 1,000,000 |
| K. McClean PILOT | $ 1,500,000 |
| Just the beginning | $ 11,200,000 |
I am confident that there are many more proposals and issues from our citizenry which could add to this list. Just think, NO OVERRIDE, with some effort, a little out of the box thinking and millions for the future as well. As they say a Win-Win!