City Council Committee on Ways and Means Hearing on Dockets #0618 #0732 #0733

Order for a hearing regarding the City of Boston property tax deferral due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Message and order authorizing the City of Boston to increase the Elderly Property Tax Exemption pursuant to MGL Chapter 59, Section 5, Clause 41C, from $750.00 to $1,000.00, effective for the Fiscal Year 2021.

Message and order authorizing the City of Boston to lower the interest rate that accrues on property taxes deferred for eligible seniors from 4% to 1%, effective for the Fiscal Year 2021, pursuant to MGL Chapter 59, Section 5, Clause 41A.

Docket #0618 was sponsored by Councilors Michelle Wu, Kenzie Bok, and Lydia Edwards, and was referred to the Committee on April 8, 2020. Dockets #0732 and #0733 were sponsored by Mayor Martin J. Walsh and were referred to the Committee on June 3, 2020.  

NOTICE:  The Boston City Council may have a quorum in attendance due to standing committees of the City Council consisting of both voting and non-voting members.  However, members attending this duly posted meeting are participating and deliberating only in conjunction with the business of the standing committee.

Attendance

In accordance with Governor Baker's March 12, 2020 Executive Order modifying certain requirements of the Open Meeting Law and relieving public bodies of certain requirements, including the requirement that public bodies conduct its meetings in a public place that is open and physically accessible to the public, the City Council will be conducting this hearing virtually. This enables the City Council to carry out its responsibilities while adhering to public health recommendations and ensuring public access to its deliberations through adequate, alternative means.  The public may watch this hearing via live stream at www.boston.gov/city-council-tv. It will also be re-broadcast at a later date on Comcast 8/RCN 82/Verizon 1964.

Public Testimony

Written testimony may be sent to the Committee or staff email (below) and will be made a part of the record and available to all Councilors. Members of the public wishing to testify virtually via videoconference should email the staff contact for a link and instructions to do so.

Staff Contact: Michelle A. Goldberg

Committee Email:  ccc.wm@boston.gov

Staff Email:  rmichelle.a.goldberg@boston.gov  Staff Telephone: (617) 635-3040

Re-broadcast on Comcast 8/RCN 82/Verizon 1964 and streamed at: boston.gov/city-council-tv