Paul here at Town Meeting. Things are just getting going — new members have been sworn in and Mr. Widmer, the Moderator, is reviewing the ground rules. There are a ton of issues to discuss — over 30. So many, in fact, that there’s some confusion over which order we’ll discuss them. One that caught my eye in the Warrant for the meeting, however, harkened back to one of the crazy ideas that B2 floated in 2008, namely: PILOT agreements. These are Payment in Lieu of Taxes agreements that towns can hammer out with large nonprofits. Belmont’s got a couple — both the McClean Hospital and the Belmont Hill School. PILOTs are not mandated and are at the discretion of non profits to agree to. Belmont has had PILOTs in the past with McLean in the past and has been mulling an agreement with Belmont Hill and the issue has been bubbling under the surface for a number of years, as Belmont Hill has quietly bought up homes and other property adjacent to its campus, taking those properties off the tax roles. Now the fiscal crisis has brought it into the forefront and tonight Town Meeting will vote on a decree calling on Belmont Hill School to negotiate with the town on a PILOT agreement to repay Belmont for the maintenance of streets infrastructure around the school, as well as for property taken off the town’s tax roles. Stay tuned.
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Paul,
Please the highlights of the meeting were clearly as follows:
Paratore Brothers duo pianists
Sandy Kendall “God Bless America”
Kim Becker Article reading
It was all downhill from there… with a handful of people fighting for applause from the same small group.
Anyways… 2 more ideas for you to ponder.
School Athletics… Request a special meeting of the Middlesex league to discuss reducing Varsity athletic schedules by 20%. This doesn't eliminate a sport but rather the number of contests played. In today's USA Today it was mentioned the State of Florida has instituted a 20% cut in Varsity games and 40% in sub Varsity games. This will result in lower transportation costs and ref fees and should make participation fees less onerous.
Eliminate all School Busing (excludes special needs).
I understand the frustration with BH School but writing a nasty letter is like negotiating with Ahmadinejad. It also should be noted that BH is generally a good neighbor and one of many non-profits in Town. We should maintain a cordial relationship here and ask for dedicated rink time for HS Hockey so when we close the Belmont rink we can maintain the sport.
I'd like to see Walter McGlaughlin give a speech at Wednesday's TM on his electricity proposal or at least tiered pricing. He has some sharp ideas every once in awhile and now is the time to dig deeper.
PJ
Thanks PJ!
I like the idea of 20% reduction- sounds worth persuing and the bussing is an idea that I have wondered about too- worth a public discussion.
See you all tonight- unfortunately, I will not be reading!
In the case of BH, I think they may move to remove that from the articles to vote on. It was discussed at a Warrant Committee mtg, and the consensus seemed to be that this was not the best way to handle this- put in too hastily, as was the change to voting day.
On eliminating busing – in recent years, fees covered just over half of the costs. We're required (state law) to bus some – grades K-6 who live > 2 miles from school. I think the current plan for FY10 is to charge 100% for those we can charge. Killing off busing would bring a whole lot more car traffic to some schools, which I consider a serious safety issue. (Right, as it is now there too many SUV drop-offs of precious kids who live within 10-minute walk of school.)
PJ – I also like exploring that 20% reduction idea. (where were you when I was on school cmte?)
Here's an interesting thought on Belmont Hill School (similar to some church parking issues): what happens when they charge outside groups for use of their rink or other facilities? Are they still a non-profit? Is that income taxable?
PJ — just read your comment, I think we already have tiered electric pricing. I recall saying something similar (i.e., pretty much agreeing with Walter McL's proposal) somewhere earlier this year or late last year, then opening my electric bill later in the same week and discovering that we already have discounted electrical service that people can qualify for in a variety of sensible ways. My recollection (ballparking, against what I knew was our own profligate consumption, and what my somewhat more careful parents achieve in the winter in Florida) was that this was good for perhaps $600/year in savings.
Or did you mean something else?
PJ — just read your comment, I think we already have tiered electric pricing. I recall saying something similar (i.e., pretty much agreeing with Walter McL's proposal) somewhere earlier this year or late last year, then opening my electric bill later in the same week and discovering that we already have discounted electrical service that people can qualify for in a variety of sensible ways. My recollection (ballparking, against what I knew was our own profligate consumption, and what my somewhat more careful parents achieve in the winter in Florida) was that this was good for perhaps $600/year in savings.
Or did you mean something else?