Tax Breaks Top Town Council Agenda

The proposed senior tax-deferral program and the existing "circuit-breaker" tax program go before the Barrington Town Council tonight.

The former would provide a new tax break for seniors; the latter would change the amount of exemption for seniors or totally disabled.

The councilors also will deal with guidelines for public memorials in Barrington.

The councilors meet at 7 pm in the Council Chamber in Town Hall.

As proposed, the senior tax-deferral program would defer only the “incremental real estate tax increase" for residents after age 65 or 70 – not the entire real estate tax. It would effectively “freeze” taxes after an “election date” until a future date 10, 15, 20 or more years down the road or the end of life.

At that point, taxes would come due with interest under one of two options – either 6 percent compounded annually or 12 percent non-compounded. 

Income limits would be either 80 percent of the Barrington median household income of $42,350 for one person and $48,400 for two persons or 100 percent of the media income or $52,900 for one person and $60,500 for two persons. 

Assessment limits would be set: either $272,400 at 80 percent of the median tax assessment or $340,550 at 100 percent of the median assessment.

The tax would come due within 6 months of the death of the qualified resident, with the transfer of the property to another person, upon written request of the applicant to be removed or at the end of the elected term.

The Town Council proposes to double the exemption for property owners whose household incomes are below $28,000. Solicitor Mike Ursillo was asked to amend the ordinance to change the tax break.

The real numbers mean that the lowest-income property owners – those who earn under $16,000 a year -- would get a tax credit of approximately $3,000 instead of $1,500 under the amended ordinance.

Public memorials in Barrington surfaced at the council's previous meeting when the Dellafratte family requested that a portion of Chianese Park be turned into a memorial for a former family member who served the town for decades. The council asked the Parks and Recreation Commission to come up with guidelines to be reviewed tonight.

Here is the complete agenda for the Town Council meeting:

TOWN COUNCIL MEETING

MONDAY, MAY 6, 2013

7:00 P.M. COUNCIL CHAMBER, BARRINGTON TOWN HALL

Agenda

1. Call to Order

2. Pledge of Allegiance

3. Interviews: Planning Board (2)

4. Reappointments: Planning Board (3)

5. Announcements:

• Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America’s (CADCA) National Coalition Institute Bay Team National Award features work of BAY Team

• United Veterans Council’s 145th Memorial Day Parade on Monday, May 27, 2013

6. *Adopt Town Council Minutes of April 9 and 10, 2013 Meetings and Sealed Executive Session Minutes of April 9, 2013

7. *Utility Petitions

8. *Monthly Department Reports: Fire Chief, Police Chief/Animal Control Official, Building Official, Public Works Director, Town Planner, Town Solicitor, Finance Director, Tax Assessor, Senior Services Director, Library Director, Barrington Adult Youth Team Coordinator, Recreation and Leisure Services Director and Town Clerk

9. *Abatement List

10. *Application for Restaurant Name Change – Sushi Express to Miku Japanese Cuisine

11. *Request from Barrington Firefighters Local 1774 to hold 5 K Road Race on May 26, 2013

12. Public Comment (two minute statement) - To the public: This agenda item is for members of the public to speak regarding a topic that is not already on the agenda. Please indicate that you would like to speak by raising your hand. When you are recognized, please approach the microphone in front of the Council.

13. Bristol County Water Authority Report

14. Discuss and Act on Proposed Legislation Relating to Fees-in-Lieu of Construction and Provision of Affordable Housing

15. Set a Public Hearing for St. Andrew’s School’s Request for a Zone Change

16. Discuss and Act on Senior Tax Deferral Program

17. Discuss Access to Water at end of Belvedere Avenue

18. Public Hearing of Ordinance Amending Code of the Town of Barrington: #2013-1 Amend Chapter 169 Taxation of Town of Barrington, §169-9 Amount of Exemption.

19. Discuss and Act on Guidelines for Public Memorials in Barrington

20. Discuss and Act on Recognition of Milestones within Town History

21. Discuss and Act on Standing Agreement with the Town and Non-Municipal Groups (continued from March, Ann)

22. Introduction of Ordinances Amending Code of the Town of Barrington:

• #2013-2 Amend Chapter 63 Alcoholic Beverages, Article IV: Possession of Alcohol by Underage Persons.

• #2013-3 Amend Chapter 131 Disorderly Conduct.

• #2013-4 Amend Chapter 124 Licenses and Permits, Article I: Peddling, Soliciting, and Transient Merchants.

• #2013-5 Amend Chapter 134 Parks and Recreation, Article I: Private Tennis Lessons Prohibited.

23. Resignations: Phyllis Powell, Senior Services Advisory Board; Carla DeStefano, Housing Board of Trustees

24. Set Agenda for June 3, 2013 Council Meeting

25. Executive Session in Accordance with RIGL 42-46-5 (a) (2) Litigation/Cove Haven Marina vs. Town of Barrington

26. Adjourn