Budget & Finance Standing Committee
Thursday, September 17, 2026 – 5:30 p.m.
City Hall
1st Floor Council Conference Room
9 Dale Avenue
Gloucester, MA 01930
and via Zoom
-Minutes-
Present: Chair Councilor Scott Memhard; Vice Chair Councilor Tony Gross; Councilor Patti-Ann Page
Other Councilors Present: Councilor Jason Grow
Also Present: CAO, Kelly Dolan; Auditor, Kenny Costa (remote); Principal Assessor, Nancy Papows; School CFO, Cody Marshall (remote); Acting Police Chief, Michael Williams; Legislative Aide, Lynds Jones
Meeting called to order at 5:30 p.m.
This meeting was conducted in-person and remotely via ZOOM.
Councilor Memhard announced the names of the B&F Committee members in attendance and City staff who were in attendance in person and on Zoom.
1. Discussion of Residential Tax Exemption with the City Assessor
Summary of Discussion: Principal Assessor, Nancy Papows shared her screen.
| Exemption Amount | $84,300 | New Rate: | $10.00 | Tax $ Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Factor of 1 | $250,000 | @ | $9.34 | $2,335.00 |
| with exemption: | | | | |
| Qualified | $165,700 | @ | $10.00 | $1,657.00 (-$678.00) |
| Not Qualified | $250,000 | @ | $10.00 | $2,500.00 ($165.00) |
| Factor of 1 | $350,000 | @ | $9.34 | $3,269.00 |
| with exemption: | | | | |
| Qualified | $265,700 | @ | $10.00 | $2,657.00 (-$612.00) |
| Not Qualified | $350,000 | @ | $10.00 | $3,500.00 ($231.00) |
| Factor of 1 | $450,000 | @ | $9.34 | $4,203.00 |
| with exemption: | | | | |
| Qualified | $365,700 | @ | $10.00 | $3,657.00 (-$546.00) |
| Not Qualified | $450,000 | @ | $10.00 | $4,500.00 ($297.00) |
| Factor of 1 | $650,000 | @ | $9.34 | $6,071.00 |
| with exemption: | | | | |
| Qualified | $565,700 | @ | $10.00 | $5,657.00 (-$414.00) |
| Not Qualified | $650,000 | @ | $10.00 | $6,500.00 ($429.00) |
| Factor of 1 | $1,020,700 | @ | $9.34 | $9,533.34 |
| Gloucester's Average Single Family, with exemption: | | | | |
| Qualified | $936,400 | @ | $10.00 | $9,364.00 (-$169.34) |
| Not Qualified | $1,020,700 | @ | $10.00 | $10,207.00 ($673.66) |
Break-even value is approximately $1,277,000
| Factor of 1 | $1,500,000 | @ | $9.34 | $14,010.00 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| with exemption: | | | | |
| Qualified | $1,415,700 | @ | $10.00 | $14,157.00 ($147.00) |
| Not Qualified | $1,500,000 | @ | $10.00 | $15,000.00 ($990.00) |
| Factor of 1 | $2,000,000 | @ | $9.34 | $18,680.00 |
| with exemption: | | | | |
| Qualified | $1,915,700 | @ | $10.00 | $19,157.00 ($477.00) |
| Not Qualified | $2,000,000 | @ | $10.00 | $20,000.00 ($1,320.00) |
Councilor Gross stated that updated information regarding the residential tax exemption had been sent out by the Assessor's Office to the City Council.
Nancy Papows stated that the break even point for the residential tax exemption had been incorrect at the previous workshop, and the correct figure was $1,277,000. She stated that the break-even point was when even if a resident would qualify for a residential tax exemption, they would not see any savings. She stated that properties assessed at $1,277,000 and above would see their taxes increase to bear the burden of the reduction for lower valued properties.
Councilor Grow stated that the increased taxes could be passed on to renters by landlords.
Info only. No motion offered
2. Memorandum from the Gloucester Public Schools CFO requesting payment of prior year invoice with FY27 funds, in the amount of $51,317.23
Summary of Discussion: School CFO, Cody Marshall stated that this request was broken up over four different invoices. He stated that these invoices were for employee reimbursement for travel and a settlement with the Massachusetts Nurses Association for pay during the strike.
Councilor Page asked for clarification regarding pay for nurses during the strike. Cody Marshall stated that the payment was due to arbitration.
Cody Marshall stated the payment to the nurses had been unanticipated and the travel expenses were for travel that happened on June 30, 2026.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION: On a motion by Councilor Memhard, seconded by Councilor Page, the Budget & Finance Committee voted, 3 in favor, 0 opposed, to recommend that the City Council approve, in accordance with MGL c. 44, §64, payment of prior year invoices and obligations as presented in the memo from the School CFO dated August 31, 2026, in the amount of $51,317.23 to be paid with the current year FY2027 General Fund, School Department budgeted funds.
3. Memorandum from the Acting Police Chief requesting to pay an FY27 invoice without a PO in place, in the amount of $440.94
Summary of Discussion: Acting Police Chief, Michael Williams stated that the police department had been purchasing personal flotation devices for the police boat in June with a purchase order in place. He stated that the items had been out of stock and by the time this had been realized there was not enough time to create a new purchase order for the remainder.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION: On a motion by Councilor Memhard, seconded by Councilor Page, the Budget & Finance Committee voted, 3 in favor, 0 opposed, to recommend that the City Council approve, in accordance with MGL c. 44, §64, payment of prior year invoices in the amount of $440.94 for West Marine Pro at 1 East Broward Blvd Ste 200, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301, for marine equipment received in Fiscal Year 2026 with invoice #4841388, invoice dated July 1, 2026, in the amount of $367.45, and invoice #4839637, invoice dated July 1, 2026, in the amount of $73.49 to be paid with the current year FY2027 General Fund, Police Department – Ordinary Maintenance budgeted funds.
4. Memorandum from the Acting Police Chief requesting acceptance of FY27 State 911 EMD Grant in the amount of $42,528.96
Summary of Discussion: Michael Williams stated that the City received this grant every year and it was used to conduct quality control on emergency dispatch calls.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION: On a motion by Councilor Memhard, seconded by Councilor Page, the Budget & Finance Committee voted, 3 in favor, 0 opposed, to recommend that the City Council accept under MGL c. 44, §53A, a state grant from the Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety and Security, a FY2027 State 911 Department Emergency Medical Dispatch Grant Program for $42,528.96. The grant period is from September 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027, and there is no local match for this grant.
5. Memorandum from the City Auditor regarding accounts having expenditures which exceed their authorization & Auditor's Report and other related business
Summary of Discussion: Auditor, Kenny Costa stated that the same number of accounts were in deficit, and there had been a $45,000 decrease due to the acceptance of the CDBG grant.
No motion offered.
MOTION: On a motion by Councilor Memhard, seconded by Councilor Page, the Budget & Finance Committee voted, 3 in favor, 0 opposed, to adjourn at 5:50 p.m.
Submitted by: Lynds Jones, Legislative Aide.
Documents submitted at the meeting: Residential tax exemption supplement by Nancy Papows.
Matters appearing on the agenda that are to be continued: None.
Meeting Recording: https://www.gloucester-ma.gov/1097/Past-Remote-Public-Meetings