Lunenburg Board Addresses Soaring Lakefront Taxes and Software Woes
- Meeting Overview:
In a recent Lunenburg Select Board meeting, issues regarding the town’s financial operations and property tax assessments were at the forefront of discussions. The board tackled the significant tax increases for lakefront property owners, with an average hike of $3,590.64, in contrast to the nominal 82-cent increase for non-lakefront properties for fiscal year 2023. This disparity was attributed to incorrect property valuations linked to the pandemic’s impact on business practices in Massachusetts and years of bad data from the assessor’s office. The board cited inadequate supervisory controls and the use of an outdated index map for property groupings, which had not been updated for at least 15 years, leading to incorrect tax valuations.
The financial software supplied by Munis was another focal point, with board members expressing frustration over its inadequacy. The software has been failing to work properly, causing problems with tax and utility bills. During the meeting, the ongoing issues were said to have led to a lack of trust in the system. The annual support cost for the software is $60,000, and the possibility of seeking compensation for the town through Town Council involvement was suggested due to the breach of contract by Munis. The discussion also included the exploration of alternative software options, especially focusing on utility billing, and the need for a point of contact at Munis to comprehensively address the issues.
In addition to financial challenges, the meeting covered the approval of a common victualler license for BKK Group LLC, poised to operate as “White Thai Cuisine.” The board approved the license, encouraging community members to patronize the new establishment. The board ratified appointments for seasonal cemetery laborers and a seasonal lifeguard, emphasizing the selected individuals’ experience and qualifications.
The disposal of surplus property policy was reviewed and updated, with the board approving the revised policy, which aims for efficient and transparent management of surplus town assets. The tax investigative report’s executive summary was discussed, underlining the necessity for a review and feedback. The importance of this report was underscored as it would be incorporated into the town’s annual report.
The board also addressed a substantial tax increase concern for property owners with homes near lakes and the challenges posed by the financial software system. The conversation delved into the technical aspects of the billing system, server configurations, and potential error sources, with a commitment to finding immediate solutions to these pressing billing concerns.
The Select Board’s discussions extended to the ratification of appointments and reappointments, urging members of various commissions to attend interviews. Future agenda items mentioned included the budget task force, the allocation of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, a review of select board policies post-election, and the potential formation of a task force in coordination with other boards and committees.
Heather R. Lemieux
City Council Officials:
Michael-Ray Jeffreys, Louis J. Franco, Caesar Nuzzolo, Tom Alonzo, Renee Emkey, Heather R. Lemieux (Town Manager), Julie L. Belliveau (Assistant Town Manager/HR Director)
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Meeting Type:
City Council
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Committee:
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Meeting Date:
05/21/2024
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Recording Published:
05/22/2024
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Duration:
64 Minutes
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Notability Score:
Routine
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State:
Massachusetts
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County:
Worcester County
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Towns:
Lunenburg
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