Minutes

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Winthrop Finance Commission Minutes

Date:

Thursday, May 9, 2024, at 6:00pm

Attendees: TOW: Brendan Canrritte (BC), Diane Macken (DM}, Kathleen Hickey {KH}, Sarah

Johnson (SJ), Robbie Powers (RP}

FC: Brent Farrell (BF), Karin Chavis (KC), William Gault (WG), Matt Garzkowicz (MG),
Hannah Belcher (HB), Joe Hanlon {JH}, John Macero (JM), Max Tassinari (MT), John
DaRos (JD)

Absent: Shannon Poulos

Meeting called to order at 6:06 pm by MG.

Rolicall vote completed by KC. All present except individuals noted above. Allpresent members that
attended prior meetings approved minutes from 4/24 and 5/2.

Focus of meeting will be on the discussion and review of the Treasurer / Collector and Assessment
depariments.

Treasurer / Collector

Assessing
.

Primary focus is on interaction with public

Increased analysis of “tailings” which are refunds made by town fo public

52 properties were late payers for property taxes, currently 40 remain

New assistant collector search is underway

~50-60% of property taxes are paid via mortgage escrow, ~25% are paid in person and
balance via electronic checks

Currently earn 4.6% and 5.3% on current balances at local banks, deposited are fully
collateralized

Receiving monthly deed updates from Suffolk County for the first time

Focus on property record cards and updated photographs

Interacting with Building Department to update permits. closing out 1.610 outstanding permit,
with an additional 763 permits open from 2003 and 200+ still outstanding

Outstanding inspections expected to be closed out by summer

Findings exposed roughly $250K in new growth for this year

Vision recommended full town wide inspection of properties (cost of $170K}, department
believes this can be done in-house

Additional 200 boats found in town that are to be charged excise tax

Increased staffing has addressed backlog but 3-4 years of work remain

Vision software costs have increased across the stafe - company is very responsive
Currently 1 full-time clerk, 1 30-hour clerk currently - hoping fo increase to 35 hours per week
Boat excise tax rates are set by the State, ithas not been revised in approximately a decade

Various discussion points amongst the members included:

KC requested Brightly report related fo employee compensation
MG would like to discuss the various departments to highlight certain recommendations
Review prior year recommendation letter to occur in near-term future meeting

MG motioned to adjourn: HB seconded. Approved by all present members.

Meeting adjourned at 7:26 pm.