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Page 2 THE REVERE ADVOCATE – Friday, December 6, 2019 FISCAL | FROM PAGE 1 Commercial assessments would see an increase of four percent, or $1,078. However, that number isn’t set in stone. “It does differ throughout the city,” Brangiforte said. “Some areas will see a larger increase than normal – it depends on where you live.” The councillors were supportive overall, but some had questions before voting on the new tax rates. Councillor-at-Large Steven Morabito, who works in real estate, said that for this calendar year there’s been a decrease in home values and the potential for another recession. “It’s all about justifying where you got that taxation,” Morabito said. “We can’t ignore that mortgage applications went down last week and last year.” City Council Vice President Patrick Keefe, Jr. said he would not support an increase for the taxpayers. “I think we’ve reached a limit where we can’t be increasing what the taxpayer has to pay,” Keefe said. “I know you’ve dropped the rate as much as you can, based on the law.” Brangiforte replied that they’re not voting on assessed values, which are certified through the Department of Revenue, but rather voting on creating a split rate – one rate for residential, one rate for commercial – and the percentage of that shift. “We’re at around 95 percent market valANGELO’S FULL SERVICE "Over 40 Years of Excellence!" 1978-2019 Regular Unleaded $2.359 Mid Unleaded $2.799 Super $2.859 Diesel Fuel $2.799 KERO $4.759 Diesel $2.599 DEF Available by Pump! Happy Holidays HEATING OI 24-Hour Burner Service Call for Current Price! (125—gallon minimum) Open an account and order online at: www.angelosoil.com (781) 231-3500 (781) 231-3003 367 LINCOLN AVE • SAUGUS • OPEN 7 DAYS During Monday’s City Council meeting at City Hall, Board of Assessors Member Mathew McGrath, Board of Assessors Chairman Dana Brangiforte and Board of Assessors Member John Verrengia said the Fiscal Year 2020 tax rate has decreased while assessed values have increased (Advocate Photo by Tara Vocino) ue,” Brangiforte said. “The values are the values, there’s no wiggle room.” Ward 5 City Councillor John Powers said a lot of people don’t realize that the city has a budget, and there’s a certain amount of money that has to be raised to provide municipal services. “Taxes are based, to some degree, on what we have to raise in the budget,” Powers said. Ward 1 City Councillor Joanne McKenna said there are three major problems in the city: overbuilding, traffic and taxes. “I can’t see myself voting for more taxes,” McKenna said. Brangiforte said the tax increase is substantially less than Plug Into Reliability With Honda Generators! $ ON EM MSR 290! SAVE EM6500S MSRP $3,219* M M6500 0 ONLY $2,929 ** • 6500 watts • Provides 7,000 watts for 10 sec. to start larger equipment • Convenient electric starting • 120V/20A GFCI Outlets • 3-Year Warranty† last year. Councillor-at-Large Anthony Zambuto said the assessors are controlled by law and thanked them for their information and patience. Ward 2 City Councillor Ira Novoselsky said the last thing anyone wants to see is an increase in homeowner taxes and that there are city employees who have union contracts. “It’s difficult to find a balance,” Novoselsky said. “I feel for everybody.” Novoselsky said people are happy with the services they’re receiving in Revere, and the assessments of people’s homes are helping to pay for that. Councillor-at-Large Jessica Giannino said taxes are one of the biggest concerns in the city, particularly affecting seniors, disabled individuals and workingclass families. “We have some programs that help seniors and veterans to help offset some of the tax rates, but we have to make sure we help everyone,” Giannino said. City Council President Arthur Guinasso said it was determined in November that things were going well and that someone has to pay for services. “We have X number of dollars and someone has to pay for the quality of life that you want,” Guinasso said. 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