MassVoter.com← Everett City CouncilEverett City Council · 2024–2025 Council · Special meeting
November 25, 2024
6 recorded votes, 1 with disagreement.
Sources: Official minutes (PDF) · City meeting page
A monthly email on what it voted on, starting in November.
Attendance
Note on these minutes: Special meeting. The Members Present list does not include Robert Van Campen, who is counted absent.
Present: Anthony DiPierro, John F. Hanlon, Michael Marchese, Stephanie Martins, Wayne A. Matewsky, Stephanie Smith, Guerline Alcy Jabouin, Holly Garcia, Peter Pietrantonio, Katy Rogers
Absent: Robert Van Campen
Every vote, in order
Public Hearings
Favorable Action — Order: An order requesting approval of the adoption of a Minimum Residential Factor of 0.765982 in setting the city's FY 2025 Tax Rates BJ Devereaux, city assessor, presented...
1. C0366-24 Order/s/ Councilor Robert J. Van Campen, as President An order requesting approval of the adoption of a Minimum Residential Factor of 0.765982 in setting the city's FY 2025 Tax Rates BJ Devereaux, city assessor, presented information on setting the FY 2025 tax rates, including adopting the residential exemption and shifting the tax burden between residential and commercial/industrial/personal property classes. The minimum residential factor translates to the maximum shift allowed onto the commercial/industrial/personal property class, reducing the residential tax burden from 76% to 58% of the levy. Councilors asked questions about the increased residential values, additional levy capacity, growth from Encore Boston Harbor, revaluation process, and commercial property losses like the power plant. Residents spoke in opposition to increasing the commercial tax rate, believing it would drive out small businesses. They advocated for improved communication about the residential exemption, performing a city financial audit, and renegotiating the Encore host agreement. Motion to adopt a Minimum Residential Factor of 0.765982 for FY 2025 Tax Rates MOTION: Favorable Action MOVER: Stephanie Smith SECONDER: Anthony DiPierro RESULT: Passed [10 TO 0] AYES: Alcy Jabouin, DiPierro, Garcia, Hanlon, Marchese, Martins, ; Matewsky, Rogers, Pietrantonio, Smith NAYS: AWAY:
From the minutes
“1. C0366-24 Order/s/ Councilor Robert J. Van Campen, as President An order requesting approval of the adoption of a Minimum Residential Factor of 0.765982 in setting the city's FY 2025 Tax Rates BJ Devereaux, city assessor, presented information on setting the FY 2025 tax rates, including adopting the residential exemption and shifting the tax burden between residential and commercial/industrial/personal property classes. The minimum residential factor translates to the maximum shift allowed onto the commercial/industrial/personal property class, reducing the residential tax burden from 76% to 58% of the levy. Councilors asked questions about the increased residential values, additional levy capacity, growth from Encore Boston Harbor, revaluation process, and commercial property losses like the power plant. Residents spoke in opposition to increasing the commercial tax rate, believing it would drive out small businesses. They advocated for improved communication about the residential exemption, performing a city financial audit, and renegotiating the Encore host agreement. Motion to adopt a Minimum Residential Factor of 0.765982 for FY 2025 Tax Rates MOTION: Favorable Action MOVER: Stephanie Smith SECONDER: Anthony DiPierro RESULT: Passed [10 TO 0] AYES: Alcy Jabouin, DiPierro, Garcia, Hanlon, Marchese, Martins, ; Matewsky, Rogers, Pietrantonio, Smith NAYS: AWAY:.” (Motion: Stephanie Smith, second: Anthony DiPierro)
New Business
Favorable Action — Order: An order requesting approval of the adoption of a Residential Homeowner's Tax Exemption of 25% in setting the city's FY 2025 Residential Tax Rate Councilors spoke in...
2. ©0367-24 Order/s/ Councilor Robert J. Van Campen, as President An order requesting approval of the adoption of a Residential Homeowner's Tax Exemption of 25% in setting the city's FY 2025 Residential Tax Rate Councilors spoke in support of continuing the 25% residential homeowner's exemption, seeing it as meaningful tax relief and an incentive for owner-occupancy. They discussed the need for better communication to residents about the exemption. Motion to adopt a 25% Residential Homeowner's Tax Exemption for FY 2025 MOTION: Favorable Action MOVER: Stephanie Smith SECONDER: Anthony DiPierro RESULT: Passed [10 TO 0] AYES: Alcy Jabouin, DiPierro, Garcia, Hanlon, Marchese, Martins, , Matewsky, Rogers, Pietrantonio, Smith NAYS: AWAY:
From the minutes
“2. ©0367-24 Order/s/ Councilor Robert J. Van Campen, as President An order requesting approval of the adoption of a Residential Homeowner's Tax Exemption of 25% in setting the city's FY 2025 Residential Tax Rate Councilors spoke in support of continuing the 25% residential homeowner's exemption, seeing it as meaningful tax relief and an incentive for owner-occupancy. They discussed the need for better communication to residents about the exemption. Motion to adopt a 25% Residential Homeowner's Tax Exemption for FY 2025 MOTION: Favorable Action MOVER: Stephanie Smith SECONDER: Anthony DiPierro RESULT: Passed [10 TO 0] AYES: Alcy Jabouin, DiPierro, Garcia, Hanlon, Marchese, Martins, , Matewsky, Rogers, Pietrantonio, Smith NAYS: AWAY:.” (Motion: Stephanie Smith, second: Anthony DiPierro)
Favorable Action — Order: An order requesting approval of an appropriation of $10,000,000.00 from the Budgetary Fund Balance (Free Cash) to reduce the FY2025 tax levy
3. C0388-24 Order/s/ Councilor Robert J. Van Campen, as President An order requesting approval of an appropriation of $10,000,000.00 from the Budgetary Fund Balance (Free Cash) to reduce the FY2025 tax levy Motion to approve the appropriation $10,000,000 from Free Cash to reduce the FY2025 tax levy MOTION: Favorable Action MOVER: Stephanie Smith SECONDER: Stephanie Martins RESULT: Passed [10 TO 0] AYES: Alcy Jabouin, DiPierro, Garcia, Hanlon, Marchese, Martins, : Matewsky, Rogers, Pietrantonio, Smith NAYS: AWAY:
From the minutes
“3. C0388-24 Order/s/ Councilor Robert J. Van Campen, as President An order requesting approval of an appropriation of $10,000,000.00 from the Budgetary Fund Balance (Free Cash) to reduce the FY2025 tax levy Motion to approve the appropriation $10,000,000 from Free Cash to reduce the FY2025 tax levy MOTION: Favorable Action MOVER: Stephanie Smith SECONDER: Stephanie Martins RESULT: Passed [10 TO 0] AYES: Alcy Jabouin, DiPierro, Garcia, Hanlon, Marchese, Martins, : Matewsky, Rogers, Pietrantonio, Smith NAYS: AWAY:.” (Motion: Stephanie Smith, second: Stephanie Martins)
Favorable Action — Order: An order requesting approval of an appropriation of $1,100,000.00 from the Water/Sewer Budgetary Fund Balance (VW/S Free Cash) to offset FY2025 water/sewer rates
4. C0389-24 Order/s/ Councilor Robert J. Van Campen, as President An order requesting approval of an appropriation of $1,100,000.00 from the Water/Sewer Budgetary Fund Balance (VW/S Free Cash) to offset FY2025 water/sewer rates. Councilor Pietrantonio clarified that the water/sewer fund balance appropriation is still taxpayer money. Motion to approve the appropriation of $1,100,000 from the Water/Sewer Fund Balance to offset FY2025 water/sewer rates MOTION: Favorable Action MOVER: Michael Marchese SECONDER: Stephanie Smith RESULT: Passed [10 TO 0] AYES: Alcy Jabouin, DiPierro, Garcia, Hanlon, Marchese, Martins, y Matewsky, Rogers, Pietrantonio, Smith NAYS: AWAY:
From the minutes
“4. C0389-24 Order/s/ Councilor Robert J. Van Campen, as President An order requesting approval of an appropriation of $1,100,000.00 from the Water/Sewer Budgetary Fund Balance (VW/S Free Cash) to offset FY2025 water/sewer rates. Councilor Pietrantonio clarified that the water/sewer fund balance appropriation is still taxpayer money. Motion to approve the appropriation of $1,100,000 from the Water/Sewer Fund Balance to offset FY2025 water/sewer rates MOTION: Favorable Action MOVER: Michael Marchese SECONDER: Stephanie Smith RESULT: Passed [10 TO 0] AYES: Alcy Jabouin, DiPierro, Garcia, Hanlon, Marchese, Martins, y Matewsky, Rogers, Pietrantonio, Smith NAYS: AWAY:.” (Motion: Michael Marchese, second: Stephanie Smith)
Favorable Action — Order: An order requesting approval of an appropriation of $146,000.00 from the ECTV Budgetary Fund Balance (ECTV Free Cash) to offset the FY2025 ECTV budget
5. C0390-24 Order/s/ Councilor Robert J. Van Campen, as President An order requesting approval of an appropriation of $146,000.00 from the ECTV Budgetary Fund Balance (ECTV Free Cash) to offset the FY2025 ECTV budget. Motion to approve the appropriation of $146,000 from the ECTV Fund Balance to offset the FY2025 ECTV budget MOTION: Favorable Action MOVER: Katy Rogers SECONDER: Stephanie Smith RESULT: Passed [10 TO 0] AYES: Alcy Jabouin, DiPierro, Garcia, Hanlon, Marchese, Martins, : Matewsky, Rogers, Pietrantonio, Smith NAYS: AWAY:
From the minutes
“5. C0390-24 Order/s/ Councilor Robert J. Van Campen, as President An order requesting approval of an appropriation of $146,000.00 from the ECTV Budgetary Fund Balance (ECTV Free Cash) to offset the FY2025 ECTV budget. Motion to approve the appropriation of $146,000 from the ECTV Fund Balance to offset the FY2025 ECTV budget MOTION: Favorable Action MOVER: Katy Rogers SECONDER: Stephanie Smith RESULT: Passed [10 TO 0] AYES: Alcy Jabouin, DiPierro, Garcia, Hanlon, Marchese, Martins, : Matewsky, Rogers, Pietrantonio, Smith NAYS: AWAY:.” (Motion: Katy Rogers, second: Stephanie Smith)
Adjournment
Adjourn
MOTION: Adjourn MOVER: Stephanie Smith SECONDER: _ Holly Garcia RESULT: Passed [0 TO 0] AYES: NAYS: AWAY:
The minutes record this vote as “Passed [0 TO 0]” with no names, which is how they show a vote taken without a roll call. Showing the result only.
From the minutes
“MOTION: Adjourn MOVER: Stephanie Smith SECONDER: _ Holly Garcia RESULT: Passed [0 TO 0] AYES: NAYS: AWAY:.” (Motion: Stephanie Smith, second: Holly Garcia)
From the Everett City Council’s minutes, posted on the city’s Agendas, Minutes & Transcripts page (City Council folder). We check every vote against the councilors present and quote the exact wording. MassVoter never grades or scores officials. Councilor photos: City of Everett (cityofeverett.com), from the official City Council page. Michele Capone: Everett Advocate (captioned news photo, cropped by MassVoter). Former councilors show initials.
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