Prism and the September 11 Council Meeting

The Sept 11 Council meeting was an interesting (and long!) one. 

The issue of Prism's delinquency on WO property taxes was brought up at that Council Meeting, and three Council members of the five indicated dismay over the nixing of the jitney (see, it's not just a few critics out to pick on Prism that aren't happy the jitney's been dropped) and concern over comments and information from the public that Prism was behind in its taxes to WO (including observations that Prism was also appealing their property taxes in state court while behind in their taxes, something that residents claimed is not allowed, and information from a resident that Prism is in arrears on seven properties overall.) And several Council members showed concern and curiosity as to whether it went against the Planning Board's own rules to consider and approve plans when the property owner is behind in their taxes at the time of filing, which Prism was.  Mr. Cirilo was particularly adamant on the delinquent tax issue: "We have no tolerance, I have no tolerance--you have to pay your bills." 

Unlike last spring, at this meeting four Council members were expressing concern and questions about Prism and Redevelopment and a new (for some of them) curiosity about Prism's plans and financials.  It seemed financial what-if scenarios were now the in thing on Main St., at least when residents show up to point out that Prism is not just behind in taxes on the Phase I property but in arrears on seven properties altogether, including the Barton Press site.

Mr. Guarino asked if the Council can ask to see Prism's balance sheet, which earned him applause from the public.  When the Town attorney Mr. Kayser gave a vague response that Prism had given the Town a lot of info in the past, Mr. Krakoviak looked it up and found that the Council could in fact ask for financial info from Prism, and indicated he'd be happy to support his fellow Council members if they wanted to pursue that.  Mr. Cirilo gave a rather passionate assurance to the public that just because not all the Council members were asking questions or commenting *in public* did not mean that they were not equally concerned or weren't pursuing these questions, and indicated that he himself was very concerned about the issues raised with regard to Prism, their taxes and financial situation, and the lack of jitney which he felt was an important feature of the project.  Mrs. McCartney indicated agreement with the need to look into if the Planning Board followed its own rules with regard to taxes at the time of filing. 

The only one who didn't say much about Prism was Ms. Spango--though that may be because Mr. Kayser had given a warning about an hour and a half into the meeting that the Council should not comment on matters under litigation (referring to the lawsuit about getting the bond ordinance involving Prism put to a referendum), and the Council was unsure whether that meant they could not discuss Prism or Redevelopment at all, or just not that particular referendum issue.  Four commented to varying degrees on the matters brought up, while Ms. Spango commented little if at all.  (When Mr. Cirilo asked for clarification of what could and could not be discussed, Mr. Kayser didn't really clarify, but just said that he had given his advice and people could choose to follow it or not.  "I can't muzzle a Council member," he said.)

So, to sum up--Prism is behind on taxes, Prism is appealing taxes, Prism was behind when they filed with the Planning Board, Planning Board rules may or may not have been followed, Prism is in arrears on seven properties overall including Barton Press, the majority of the Council is united in expressing concern or dismay and a desire to look into the details of these issues. 

And the meeting had other interesting non-Prism points--the need for a place for local teens to gather safely, contracting out tax appeal legal work, the contract involving OSPAC (that involved excellent questioning all around by four of five Council members as well, which led to the contract being tabled until it could be re-worked)--there was a lot of interesting stuff that was said both about Prism and Redevelopment and NOT about Redevelopment.

See the video here: http://bit.ly/Q4PXEp 

Comments about Prism by the Council members start at 25:00
Public comment starts at 35:00, which included several members of the public sharing information about Prism's delinquent tax payments, tax appeals, and the Planning Board rules and Planning Board proceedings from the last PB meeting.
Council response to public comment starts at 1:20