BOT meeting recap 11-28-11

The following is a brief unofficial recap of many items that occurred or were discussed at the .  Official minutes will be posted online at www.southorange.org when they are available or the video can be viewed on-demand at southorange.org/videoViewer.asp

Presentations

Villager of the Month was presented to Steven Hollow

Youthnet provided an update on recent activities

Steve Rubenstein from Realty Appraisal provided an update on the ongoing property reassessment:

Earlier this year, the Village contracted with Realty Appraisal to conduct a reassessment of the Village. (this is different from a revaluation that was done back in 2007: In a Revaluation an inspector visits every property and collects all data. In a Reassessment, they rely on data that was collected in 2007; responsibility is to appraise based on current market conditions, based on property sales, current listings and tax appeal settlements)

The goals were to:

• Bring assessments to reflect current market value
• Reduce tax appeals (There were 519 last year- 11% of all properties)
• Reduce disparities in assessments

The reassessment was completed 10 days ago 

Notification letters to property owners will be sent by early next week

The letter will contain your new value and a phone number to arrange an appointment if you wish to review the assessment (evenings and weekends will be available)

Reviews will be held at the Baird Center in early-mid December and must be completed by the end of the year.

New values take effect Jan 1, but are not reflected until the 3rd quarter bill in 2012

Data for all properties will be posted on Realty Appraisal's website

Overall, property values decreased around 19% village-wide. The areas with biggest decreases were condos, Seton Village and Tuxedo Park

The Tax Assessor has been asked to create and post a spreadsheet which will allow homeowners to compare their current taxes with their estimated taxes after the reassessment, based on this year's tax rate. 

CDBG Public Hearing

The second of two hearings to get input on eligible projects was held

Historically, Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds have paid for part of SOPAC debt service   

Ordinances on First Reading

2011-17 Salary Ordinance - provides salary increases for all noncontractual personnel ; passed 4-1

2011-20 Modification of pay to play ordinance which allows additional services without bidding if subsequent service is necessary, if subsequent service is unanticipated or needs to be phased;  passed 4- 1

2011-21 Ordinance to require bicycle storage and racks - referred to Planning Board

2011-22 Ordinance to refund $12M in bonds to take advantage of reduced interest rates - bond counsel to provide more details before Second Reading; passed 5-0

2011-23 Ordinance to exclude definition of landscaper those people who are subject to State registration; makes ordinance compliant with state law; currently all landscapers are subject to SO licensing; passed 5-0

2011-24 Ordinance establishing a historic preservation commission - referred to a special Planning & Zoning committee meeting to be scheduled in December for further discussion

2011-25 Ordinance establishing a special improvement district - Counsel to provide task list of open items by EOD Wednesday and outline options to be considered; Workshop to be held on Dec 6 at 8pm to discuss Budget for proposed SID

Public Comments

George Matios expressed concerns about darkness in Grove Park and hazardous condition of trees in parks and along sidewalks on South Orange Ave.

Amy Dahn - shared recommendation that Historic Commission should be created as a regulatory body (not just advisory)

Karen Marlowe - shared recommendation that Historic Commission should be created as a regulatory bodyBrian Hanlon - shared recommendation that Historic Commission should be created as a regulatory body

John Overall - shared recommendation that Historic Commission should be created as a regulatory body

Nancy Heinz-Glazer - shared recommendation for Historic Commission

Claudia Matheiss - asked questions about SID Ordinance

James Ankner - shared recommendation that Historic Commission should be created as a regulatory body

Leslie Pogany - shared concerns about SID Ordinance

Fernando Cabrera - shared concerns about SID Ordinance

Samuel Multhrop - shared comments about Historic Commission and welcomed opportunity to participate

Alyssa Aronson - asked questions about the SID Ordinance

Bob Adler - asked question about SID Ordinance 

Consent Agenda

8 resolutions were passed on Consent Agenda