001Good evening and welcome to the select board meeting of November 3rd, 2025, 6 p.m. 3 at town hall. Do I have a motion for signing of the warrant? >> Motion, Mr. Chair, to sign the warrant, please. >> I would uh second that, Mr. Chairman. >> Thank you, unanimous. Do I have a motion to approve the regular session minutes of October 27th? >> Yes, you do. Approval of the motion to approve the regular session minutes of October 27th, 2025. >> And I would second that, Mr. Chair. >> That is unanimous. The first uh public hearing is the tax classification Aaron. We do have the members of the board of assessors here and um Jen Slav, the assessor administrator, is here with us as well. >> Hi Jen. >> Hi. How are you? >> Hi. >> So,
002um, thank you for having us. The classification hearing tonight is obviously to set our tax rate for the new year. Values have been set. Um, new growth has been approved. We're going to go over a couple of things. If you can just advance to the first. Thanks, Andy. Um, just a few talking points for tonight is a little bit on the new growth so you'll have a little flavor for what we've done. uh the value changes overall from 25 to 26, what a single tax rate would be, what our historical rate shifts have been, because we're going to ask you to do the same again tonight. Um what those options are for rate shifts. Um, and then we'll look at what that does to the valuation by class shifted, who who's bearing what burden of
003that tax levy, what the average tax bills are this year compared to last. And then the three local options that you have to consider each year, which are the small commercial exemption, the residential exemption, and the open space discount. >> One sec. Hold on, Jen. Just sure. >> No problem. >> Technical difficulties. >> Okay, I had it on mute. Sorry. That's okay. Don't make me say it again. >> Might have to. >> That was good. >> Andy, thank you. >> Those are those types of things that cause your heart to race a million miles. >> Go ahead. >> Murphy's law. Jen, >> should I I'll just start from this again just quick. >> Yes, please, if you would. >> So, um tonight we're looking at the um setting the tax rate, adopting a shift. We're
004going to go over a couple of things. is the new growth for the community. Um, in the last year, the value changes from 25 to 26, what a single tax rate calculation would be, what our historical rate shifts have been, um, the tax rate shift options for this year, what we think we want to do there, uh, the valuation by class once that rate has been shifted, um, average tax bills with that shift compared to last year. And then our three local options to consider for tonight, the small commercial exemption, the residential exemption, and the open space discount. Uh all three of those we've we've not adopted [clears throat] in in previous years. And then I'll just ask you to make your motions um on whatever you choose. So new growth, new growth is property
005taxable for the first time. Thanks, Andy. Um exempt to taxable, new construction, additions, personal property accounts, subdivided land or condo conversions. These are all examples of growth. Noteworthy growth this year was just nine single family homes, 19 new condos. Uh the Fairfield and Avalon apartments was significant in the residential class, 28 new personal property accounts, and our utility growth at 8.1 million. Uh residential growth, this is a comparison this year to last year. Last year was a very significant year for us with our residential growth growth. This number is a little bit more of our a of our normal. Um so we had uh tax growth in the residential class of 451,220 and then in the commercial industrial and personal property class we had uh tax growth of 510,597. Um and you can see the
006total growth for the town is down that 33% but still a very healthy growth number for the community. And thank you. Okay. Value changes. So 26 values are based on the market in 2024. That's the market that was analyzed um by using sales, income, and expense data, all of our property returns that we get um from our various property types. Uh single family home, for example, last year had an average value of 5142, up 3.2% 2% to 53700 and uh condominiums went from 390,000 to 4156. Two families 504100 to 538,500. These two the condos and the two families I should say are where we saw our biggest percent of increase in value this year. Both in the 6 and a half 6.8%. Okay. Y >> three families 554,000 to 5627 apartments 781 to 7173 vacant
007land 18200 to 187200 commercial 1.144300 to 125400 that also up 6.22% and industrial 17149 to 1838400 up 7.2%. So commercial, industrial, condos, and two family um were really multifamilies were where we saw our increases. Single family pretty average. Um single tax rate calculation. So we got a couple of things on here. On the left hand side of the slide, we have our total taxable value, which is up 4.72%. Our levy, which is the actual money we're going to raise in through taxation, up 4.069%. an excess levy. What we've left from not using what we could raise um went from 6,71 uh 6 6 million71,000 to 6,222. So up a little on the excess levy as well. >> Um so a single tax rate calculation um if we did not shift the tax rate would would
008be 1463. All classes of property would pay based on a 14663 per thousand. Um, and an average single family residential tax bill, if we did not shift, would be 7,764 and an average commercial tax bill would be uh 17,781. The historical shifts you can see in that last column there, we've pretty much hovered around the 158. We've gone up a little bit, uh, 16 down to 148. And we've been at 158 for what? 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8. This will be our ninth year if we stay there again today. Um these are your shifts. So this is our options. This is of course the most important slide and the one that's in your presentation that's not right. The one that you see on the screen is correct. That one there is everybody
009went down. When this one's the correct one, everybody's going to go up a little. So my apologies. I reversed those. So yours show negatives. These are positives. Okay. So this is your average tax bill increases between your residential class on the left hand side. Your commercial class is on the right hand side. That pink line is using a 158 shift, which is what we've done historically. >> So I apologize for the confusion. Um, so if we stayed with a 158 shift, your um, average single family tax bill would go up $116.58, which is a 2% increase over last. And your commercial property average would go up 1482.89 on this side, which is up the 6%. Eyes are going bad. So that's your if if that's what you're inclined to do, that would be the the
010um the increase per those two classes. And you can see if you shifted it down um slightly if you were to eb or flow from that that they're going to climb if we shift that way. And it if and they'll go down if you shift um obviously towards towards the commercial class. Do we have questions on this slide? Do you want to go over any of the other options? We've talked before in the past about do we want those percentages to stay, you know, equal between the classes. Um [clears throat] before I move on, >> no good questions. >> Yeah, we're okay. >> All right. >> Assuming a 158 shift, this is um this is your share of the levy. Hold on. I dropped my slide. >> It's not a good night here. >> I
011have >> I thank you. >> So your share of the levy if we didn't shift if we didn't shift away from the residential, we'd be 80% levy residential class and 20 in the commercial industrial personal property. So you can see with that shift we're raising 70% of our taxes through the residential class and the 29% or almost 30 is in the commercial industrial and personal property. So you can see how that shifted that burden 10% away from that residential class. Okay. And again now we have our shift and so now you can actually see the actual tax dollars. So your average single family tax bill last year 6618 with that particular shift scenario they go up to 6735 which is the $117 or 1.77% and then we just go down the line with the different
012um the different uh different classes of property. A condominium would go up 5% on their average tax bill. Two families 5.3. Three families almost nothing. apartments almost nothing and a negative if anything. Um apartments and this is all on an average bill, right? So important to remember that. >> Um residential land basically stayed the same, commercial up 5.5 and industrial 6.5. Uh the small commercial exemption, this is something that only a handful of communities in the whole Commonwealth do. It's not something that we've typically done. Um, we get our list from the Department of Unemployment Assistance. That list is then whittleled down for properties that would qualify. Um, you can exempt up to 10% of the value of a class three property. So, it's only your commercial. It's not your industrial or personal um personal
013property. Um, it has to be valued at a million or less. And it's something that um would create a third tax rate. and we've never recommended it. Uh the residential exemption, again, this is the list of communities that have adopted it. You can exempt up to 35% um of the average assessed value of residential property. So, you have to look at that average for all of them. And then if you adopt it, it increases the residential rate of all the other people. And it's really something that's done in the city and down the >> creek. >> Open space is kind of um not applicable if you will because we don't have open space classified. So there's nothing to offer a discount on. And then I would just ask that you take the following motions based
014on what um shift you guys are inclined to to take. Thank you. So Jim, the first motion, just to be clear, is as it would be as it occurs now. The one point >> 1.58 works out to this residential factor of 8677. >> Just want to make sure everybody's understand the number the number is very different. I know, right? >> And if you had, you know, if you guys wanted to talk about a different shift, >> we would just have to calculate the legend would have to calculate. >> Excuse me, Mr. Chair. Can I just say a couple things? >> Yeah, just to let to know too that you can see all my notes that that I took. Usually I I meet with Eugen, >> you know, >> but anyway, the um >> um um
015excess money capacity of over $6 million, you know, that just shows that it's um responsible budgeting for us for the town. You know what I mean? That we have that extra money left over. We have the levy that we would need to support the town. we have an extra six million plus, you know, that would show, you know, it would show good budgeting and in in in >> fiscal management. >> Yeah. Good fiscal management in a discipline, you know. So, I thought that was that that was fantastic. >> Um the other thing too would be the uh uh motions if you want me to make Mr. Chair. >> Please. Thanks. >> Okay. I don't know if you have any questions. Do do you need one too on the um to maintain the dual tax rate
016>> or no? >> Yes. You'll be >> That's the first motion. Correct. >> Yep. >> Okay. Then Mr. Chair, then I make a motion that the select board vote uh to uh maintain a dual tax rate for fiscal year 2026. And this motion would would reflect our commitment um um on the uh support for Milford residents uh and fiscal responsibility. It has to include the U. >> Yeah, I think you want to kind of stick to the motion. >> You could read it right from the last page. Paul, >> if you could on the last page. >> Oh, I have it. Yeah. >> Oh, so you're talking about the um >> those four. >> Those are the the residential factor. >> Yep. >> Okay. Absolutely. >> I have that written down, too. >> It's It's
017the same thing, but that's the actual >> Okay. I thought I thought they were they were two different motions. Thank you. You're welcome, Mr. Chair. Then uh I make a motion that um uh the move select board adopt the residential uh uh factor of uh 8677 for fiscal year 2026 in accordance with the board of assessors recommendations and also of Mass Department of Revenue guidelines. [snorts] >> I would second that, Mr. Chairman. >> That's unanimous. >> Uh the second motion I would make uh that the town uh do not adopt an open space uh discount. >> I would second that, Mr. Chairman. >> That is unanimous. Uh, and they also make a motion that the uh, town uh, not adopt a residential exemption. >> I would second that, Mr. Chairman. >> That is unanimous. >>
018And I move that the town not adopt a small commercial exemption. >> I would second that as well, Mr. Chairman. >> That is unanimous. and that the town has been aware uh from the board of assessors regarding the town's excess levy capacity which has been certified in the amount of 6,22 uh2,288 uh82 >> and I would second that Mr. Chairman, we don't need a motion on that one, right? >> They just acknowledge it. >> Yeah. That we that we acknowledge that >> making us aware. [laughter] >> I applaud it. >> And I would just ask you to sign. This is the form that we sign online that you guys should. >> And if I could, gentlemen, I just want to recognize that the board of assessors are here this evening. Michael, the chairman, Josh Theo,
019>> Paul Seamus, and um Steve Borges are here as well. >> Yeah. >> Thank you for having us. >> Thank you for being here for giving us >> at the bottom. They don't let me edit the form. Yeah. So, I can't stop sign up. >> As always, thank you very much for your hard work. [clears throat] She does a good job making a lot of hard work compiled into a fiveminute presentation >> and that and that's a talent >> very much so. It >> really is. >> Thank you very much you guys. >> That's what experience will do for you. All all these all these notes for nothing. >> Well, you did me tonight. >> Thank you very much. Always a pleasure. >> You as well. >> Good to see you. very much. >> Thank
020you very much. >> See you. >> No, it's flushed. >> Thank you. Good to see you. Thanks. Have a good night out in the sun. >> Have a good night. >> Thank you, Jen. >> Thank you. >> Oh, no one present. >> No one present as far as uh or online relation of that a public hearing. Um schedule appointments. Um, Campers in RV of Milford, Inc. a class one license. Are they on with us? >> Yes, she is. >> Susie Lee. Yes. >> Can you hear me? >> Yes. Good evening. >> We can hear you. >> Perfect. Hi. How are you? >> Good. How are you? >> I'm doing well, thank you. >> That's good news. So, let's get through the rest of the good news. Can you give us an idea of uh what
021you're trying to accomplish? >> Yeah. So, we're looking we acquired the property and we're going to be opening an RV dealership at the location >> and we will be open for retail sales and service. >> When do they plan on opening? Well, we had anticipated opening in Q4 this year, but with the delay in the licensing. Um, I know uh that we are looking after the beginning of the year, uh, I don't have the exact opening date yet, really contingent on when the licensing was all issued. >> Any questions, John? >> Yeah. Yes, Mr. Chair. Thank you. Susie Paul Maza [clears throat] Kelly, um, Milford Select Board. Um, will you will you'll be selling anything um besides the RVs and the secondhand RVs? >> Um, we will have a retail parts display um with RV
022accessories. Um, other than that, no, it will just be new and used vehicle inventory. >> Okay. And you al you also mentioned to that you'll also be doing service for them as well, right? We will do service work for internal uh as well as retail customers. >> Okay. Thank you. >> You're welcome. >> Any questions, Michael? M. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Susie Mike Walsh, member of the select board. Uh the first question I have for you, and I I apologize. I thought I heard you answer this. You have purchased the property. >> We have. Yes. >> Okay. Um and the second is um do you have any plans of renovating the building of looking at the building and looking at the present just using as an example garage doors and some of the RVs that
023you see moving around the roads today. Are they going to fit in the present uh entrance entrance doors that are there now or do you plan uh do the new owners plan on some renovations? >> Presently we are not going to be making any changes to the exterior of the building. I know they are looking in um the beginning of Q2 potentially to do some changes for the overall building layout with an addition. And at that at that point in time, I'm sure they will address the garage doors because we did notice that as well. >> Okay. And do you know um how many vehicles you ultimately plan on having? I mean, it's a huge lot. I understand that. >> Sure. >> But >> we will have roughly 75 to 100 vehicles um on the
024lot typically. >> Okay. And >> maybe a little less um but there shouldn't be anymore. >> Okay. And so my next question to that is how do 75 to 100 of those vehicles get transported to that lot driven? >> We use we use uh it so it depends. Uh typically we use out we use a transport company and they will bring them in um either on a trailer um or they will be driven in by um transport drivers. >> Okay. Okay. Uh, the reason I asked that question is is, you know, [snorts] being driven in by a driver is one thing. Having all those trucks, you know, with trailers and the campers on the back of them >> traffic >> at that intersection of the hospital. I don't know if you know where the facility
025is, but um, >> so typically if they're trailering them in, it's no more than two travel trailers at a time on a um, flat utility style trailer. Okay. Okay. >> If that helps to color the um context at all. >> Okay. Well, thank you very much for answering my questions. >> Absolutely. Thank you. >> You're all welcome. Do I have a motion? >> U motion, Mr. here uh that the select board approved the application for a class one motor vehicle dealers's license submitted by Jeffrey Hirs of Campers in RV of Milford Incorporated for the sale um of new and secondhand uh recreational vehicles and motor homes at 13 Cape Road Milford Mass >> and I would second that Mr. chairman and >> that is unanimous. Uh, welcome to town, Susie. >> Welcome to town as
026right now. >> Awesome. Thank you guys so much. I hope hope you have a great evening. >> You as well and a nice Thanksgiving. >> Yes. To you as well. >> All right. Take care. >> All right. Good night. >> Good night. >> The next item on the agenda was to be the human resources director. Um, however, she is going to gather further information concerning the renewal rates for retirees uh medical. So, we'll take that up at a future meeting. Uh, Central Travel Liquor LLC uh transfer of package license all alcoholic beverages. And I believe this is um to provide additional information that was requested by >> one the board approved in July July 28th. Uh we've had this situation before. The ABCC reviews requires additional documentation and the board would need to vote to
027approve. >> Do I have a motion? >> I'm motion, Mr. Chair, to approve the additional documents uh uh before final, you know, that was made uh for um Central uh Travel Liquor LLC. um and uh for their application. So I uh vote that we approve that these uh changes >> and I would second that. Mr. Chairman, >> that is unanimous. Uh town administrator's report. >> Yes. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Um three items tonight. Um interesting enough, two involving the fire department given tonight's situation. Uh, fire chief Mark Nelson informed me that firefighter EMT Shawn Halpin completed recruit training at the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy in Stow. He was selected for the Richard N. Bangs Award for outstanding achievement. He is only the fifth Milford firefighter in over 35 years. This uh received this recognition as the
028top recruit. So, I wanted the board to be aware of that and congratulate him. Uh second item, uh Fire Chief Nelson also informed me that the transition to the New Town Ambulance Service, Coastal EMS LLC, was seamlessly completed today. There was no interruption of services. As you know, we will be returning to the two paramedics per ambulance model with two dedicated ambulances 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. There's no change in the garging of the ambulances. And as you know, Coastal will also serve the Milford Hospital or the UMass merger. Um, final item is involving National Grid and our municipal energy program. I've been informed by Rachel Ferdinand of Good Energy that beginning this month, most electricity customers with heat pumps will receive a discount through National Grid's heat pump delivery rate. This
029is a new delivery rate designed to help offset cost increase due to increased electricity used in winter by heat pumps compared to fossil fuel heating. Most customers with heat pumps will be automatically enrolled at this delivery rate. This new delivery rate works seamlessly with the town's aggregation program supply rate. The new rate will lower the delivery portion of electric bills for qualifying customers and does not impact aggregation supply rates. Uh in fact, com combining this will u offer even greater savings. The new rate will have a lower delivery cost than the standard base distribution rates and won't cause bills to increase for customers who don't use um heat pumps. The delivery cost will be reduced in the winter period, which they define as November 1st through April 30. Um again, no no conflict with the
030new delivery rate and the town's aggregation program supply prices. Uh again, just this is just to help control um costs. Um customers with Massave supported heat pumps installed on January 1st, 2019 or later on a residential electric rate will be automatically enrolled in the reduced heat pump rate starting November 1st, 2025. So no action is needed for these customers. There are enrollment notifications being sent out uh this past week and and in the future. Customers that are not automatically enrolled or without a Mass Save installation may still qualify and can apply as the enrollment opened October 31st. They should check with National Grid's heat pump rate page to find more information about signing up for the savings. And that's all I have. >> Thank you, Rick. >> Thank you, Mr. >> Any old business, gentlemen?
031>> I don't. Mr. Chairman, >> I do not, Mr. Chairman. Uh new business. We have a document from the um conservation commission. Um this is to fill a vacant position. >> Right. >> And they're recommending um Frederick Roach for that position. >> Yep. >> There were some other folks that were on the uh talent bank. I think I think Mr. uh Frederick is already a member. >> Actually, he's already on. So, >> he's already on. Yeah, >> there's only one. >> Yeah, >> he was appointed recently. >> If you want, Mr. Chair, I can make a motion to um appoint Frederick Roach to the Conservation Commission as recommended by uh Chair Joe Zakilli where this fell is a chair is a environmental engineer and as the chairman did say, he will ensure environmental professional knowledge
032for the committee. I would second that, Mr. Chairman. >> That is unanimous. >> Any other new business, gentlemen? >> No, thank you, Mr. No. Thank you. >> Invitation to speak. I do not see anyone in the audience. Is there anyone online? There's no one online. >> Any correspondence, gentlemen? >> No, do not have any, Mr. Chairman. >> And the last item is executive session. We do not have an executive session this evening. I have a motion to make a motion to adjourn. >> I would second that, Mr. Chairman. That is unanimous. Thank you very much for tuning in and to those that attended the meeting uh particularly the folks in the assessor's office. We appreciate the information that they brought forth. Right. Hope you all have a very happy Thanksgiving and we'll see you after
033the holiday. Thank you.