CITY OF WORCESTER

Municipal Operations Committee Meeting

Tuesday, September 5, 2017

Esther Howland (South) Chamber

Convened: 5:36 P.M.

Adjourned: 6:48 PM


Mayor
Joseph M. Petty

 

www.worcesterma.gov

 

Clerk of the City Council
Susan M. Ledoux

Committee Members

Chairperson Candy Mero-Carlson
Councilor George J Russell
Councilor Kathleen M Toomey
 

City Hall - 455 Main Street Worcester, Massachusetts


Present Were:Chairperson Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson Councilor George J Russell Councilor Kathleen M Toomey
 
Also:City Assessor William J. Ford City Councilor Tony Economou City Clerk Susan M. Ledoux
 
1.

Tax Policy Communication

1a.

Report of the Committee on Economic Development Upon the Communication of Mayor Joseph M. Petty transmitting "A Report of the Discussions of the Mayor's Tax Policy Committee"; recommend to refer to the Standing Committee on Municipal Operations the portions of the Mayor’s Tax Policy Communication relating to the following: 1.) Commonwealth Compensation for the Provision of Regional Social Services; 2.) Chapter 70 Funding Reform; 3.) State Pilot Payments; 4.) Expanding Local Pilot Program; 5.) Tax Relief Programs; 6.) Consolidation; 7.) Creating a Penny Sales Tax and; 8.) Moving Multi-Unit Housing from Residential to Commercial Tax Rate. # 12a CC May 30, 2017

Attachments

Speakers: Gary Vecchio, Worcester
Stuart Loosemore, Representative of the Chamber of Commerce

Recommend place on file the portion of the report relative to Consolidation. Recommend holding the remaining topics.

Chairman's Orders

Request City Manager, with his administrative staff, work together with the city’s state delegation to begin development of a proposal for legislative/administrative action to present to the state relating to the Commonwealth Compensation for the Provision of Regional Social Services, Chapter 70 Funding Reform, State Pilot Payments, Expanding Local Pilot Program and Tax Relief Programs as presented in the “Mayor’s Tax Policy Committee – A Report of the Discussions – October 2016”. Further, request the City Manager provide City Council with a report within 60 days as to any recommendations back to Council so it can be discussed before the Standing Committee on Municipal Operations.

Request City Manager invite at the appropriate time, other gateway communities, with similar interests, to a meeting to discuss any proposals developed from the “Mayor’s Tax Policy Report” to garner their support and collaboration for the purpose of building a coalition to present to the state legislation/administration.

Request School Committee provide to City Council within 90 days a report regarding their efforts regarding Chapter 70 Funding Reform.

Request City Manager provide City Council with a list of what all the non-profit entities are contributing to the city in lieu of taxes.

Request City Manager request the City Assessor provide City Council with an updated analysis regarding owner occupied residential tax exemptions.