[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6467274,"mediaKeyId","5795634-bbc28cc6c22d2359f2ac8efbc439f1eb","parentId",5795634,"title","Council requests fuller list of tax-exempt properties as assessor considers pilot PILOT program; item tabled for 90 days","audioSeconds",1006,"startMs",3440000,"endMs",4446000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5795634-bbc28cc6c22d2359f2ac8efbc439f1eb&start=3440&end=4446","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5795634-bbc28cc6c22d2359f2ac8efbc439f1eb/thumbnail_3440000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6467274/New-Bedford-City/Bristol-County/Massachusetts/Council-requests-fuller-list-of-tax-exempt-properties-as-assessor-considers-pilot-PILOT-program-item-tabled-for-90-days","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6467274-85424e0c8dcd4aef344f32cd0770aa51/orig.mp4?Expires=1771152150&Signature=bhAlWWjVt0k9bqgiRWsEc0beNQA2QFy4gx1bwncsD44~yGCqulphh2m33PI4uQqhaX19Ys4QVvrbGEslwUSZTYn4CcNwsUxXigSngTcRY8h3nwkObPk6LGwKidBQ7FPxfMV5o0IiuDyrFKAmZQ7ACF99lNQFnNf0w7mf3UKxumnuekvPhzZkAHhV5o21Bu97VqTyqvCxgKRhfN8u0CNOgn0WuvjvsMK3q9vQVha5ltr2C933A3Gf9tB0x64cl0Pez5hCiysq4kYgRKhlj7DMcZGzuQJEx9T9xo4w-dg7ECkY73j70Zbq4WmI3vpLm9oCVilDGIP5PIkjIv5VICaItQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","New Bedford","date","2025-09-18T00:00:00Z","article","Councilors asked the assessor and treasurer for more detail about tax-exempt properties and discussed whether a pilot payment-in-lieu-of-taxes (PILOT) program might be appropriate for some nonprofits and vacant churches.

Council President Naomi Carney's motion requested that the Treasurer's Office provide a report listing all tax-exempt properties, their assessed values, active/vacant status, and years vacant where applicable. Assessor Sherry told councilors she ran the list and confirmed four vacant churches were put back on the tax roll; she said many exemptions still require state forms to remain exempt and that she intended to give property owners 30 days to rectify missing documentation before making some parcels taxable. Sherry agreed to provide a column showing fiscal-2025 tax equivalents (what their taxes would be under the FY25 rate) and the total assessed value for the listed properties.

Treasury/CFO Bob reported that, as of the valuation process, the assessed value of exempt property totaled roughly $2.054 billion across 1,555 exempt properties, though many are city-owned and not collectible. He cautioned that simply taxing exempt properties would expand the tax base and shift rates rather than automatically increasing city coffers. Councilors and staff discussed that some larger nonprofits already participate in PILOT arrangements while many smaller nonprofit properties do not.

Councilors sought a list of which exempt properties already participate in PILOTs, the total assessed values for properties on the list presented at the meeting, and a column estimating FY25 tax amounts for each property. Assessor Sherry said she will finalize the list by November and the committee voted to table the matter for 90 days so the assessor can provide values, tax equivalents, and compliance status. The assessor indicated she will flip exemptions to taxable status in November for those that do not supply required documentation.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","New Bedford - Finance Committee","oneSentenceSummary","The Committee on Finance asked the assessor and treasurer for a fuller accounting of tax-exempt properties and directed staff to return with assessed values and estimated tax equivalents as the city explores pilot PILOT arrangements.","taxTitle","New Bedford City, Bristol County, Massachusetts","taxId",5758,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6467283,"Council presses solicitor and economic development for local TIF/SDA policy; item tabled for 30 days",1187,812000,1999000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5795634-bbc28cc6c22d2359f2ac8efbc439f1eb&start=812&end=1999","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5795634-bbc28cc6c22d2359f2ac8efbc439f1eb/thumbnail_812000.jpg","/articles/6467283/New-Bedford-City/Bristol-County/Massachusetts/Council-presses-solicitor-and-economic-development-for-local-TIFSDA-policy-item-tabled-for-30-days","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6467283-4c365570d37291c324892d4a80dface9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771152150&Signature=AEf2ckfGr3iHoI4Wk2VKcXAdBbYC8sfrOkl0GfZekDB0kgdifY4vPWk3Kb4ZcZEyjRVqsSc8m7CFKG2LkU7eEra5mbBFcHMudmdseeDg0aE5YleKovE1Ju5SkG3tipebjxlRuxxF9rGNq7F9LUVbH7TozD~MBWaqW6jgVVNcZjo1jtdrWqCahN~VizDphmQvkIpEF7W0a3xo-aKbA-sJh5Jmo9MHMYZ7-yN7dLaBO~DggodfF6nF3-a6w0et1wlfbMMSWn3tVEPFIfBEF0F8lfb6~TMKBkr9EsbUa6xbYYoW-LzFmmHYya218b544QN3owgdDy7IeBENmy9FToLhNg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Committee on Finance pressed city counsel and Economic Development staff to complete a locally administered policy and standard operating procedure (SOP) for tax-increment financing (TIF) and special tax assessments (STAs) following changes at the state level that removed centralized state approval and reporting.

Councilors heard from Ramon Silva of the Economic Development Council and Attorney Winters (solicitor's office). Ramon said the state has stopped approving local TIFs and SDAs and that the city must develop a local process, application materials, contract templates, and a way to track local agreements because the state database will no longer report on local-only TIF/SDA products. Ramon said an updated report of certified projects (as of May) shows current local participants had submitted annual reports through calendar year 2024 and that he would provide the committee a copy of the report.

Attorney Winters said the solicitor's office has drafted policies in consultation with assessors and the CFO and is close to finishing the application and contract language. He advised the committee he expects to have the work substantially ready within a month or two but acknowledged the office must develop the program 'from soup to nuts.

Councilors, led by Councilor Lopes, expressed frustration about the timeline. Lopes and others said the city has delayed creating a local process since March and that neighboring communities already have local TIF frameworks in place, putting New Bedford at a competitive disadvantage for attracting projects and jobs. Councilor Lopes warned the delay could push implementation out a year and noted a prior industrial project that provided a $17 million investment as the kind of project the city risks losing.

Committee Chair Linda Morad directed counsel to return with a policy for the October meeting. The committee voted to table the item for 30 days; Councilors Lopes and Oliver made and seconded the motion. The committee scheduled the item to return on Oct. 16 for an update and requested a policy draft to review.","City economic development staff and the solicitor told the Committee on Finance they are drafting local procedures to replace state oversight of TIF and STA programs; councilors pressed for a finished policy and tabled the matter for 30 days.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6467289,"Community Preservation Committee budget received and referred to full council; FY26 estimate $1.82 million",230,648000,878000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5795634-bbc28cc6c22d2359f2ac8efbc439f1eb&start=648&end=878","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5795634-bbc28cc6c22d2359f2ac8efbc439f1eb/thumbnail_648000.jpg","/articles/6467289/New-Bedford-City/Bristol-County/Massachusetts/Community-Preservation-Committee-budget-received-and-referred-to-full-council-FY26-estimate-182-million","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6467289-70c80b356d6a2990d750e010d803c0f4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771152150&Signature=DpVF8M1ACyaST8FetDVk70GessP42M4vRJSlYtYqkT5aGFmdXg~gHlhBSPIM71KSV9Gh~S8URhlrkx3XLryENxJDOt3nBOenzyWb2kAvaBy4HClyhvd4NI4hDCviSUElk0Z6u27Zq2OLvt3uXvE30uRYu30sbXr4uyHQZv22f1DnfJsYZfqO~HfMDq6lCaAXE~9zcHuEhZm1n0rRWuvZ79bL296T9hKWTx7VDHoNQGVZqeinhzCFmMLNmkie-PXz7oNz-aqpsIcPhkt1HKfePskdIS5y6wEjSEgT53P81c6J01NIODHFiBogUF7Sa4oTwzxZYJPRABPGBg7lkbkamg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Committee on Finance received and placed on file the Community Preservation Act (CPA) committee's FY26 budget recommendation and referred it to the full City Council for adoption.

Jan (Community Preservation Committee) told the committee the office proposes up to 5% of CPA receipts for administrative expenses (consultants, staff, printing, dues), 10% each for open space/recreation, historic resources, and community housing, and that approximately 65% of CPA receipts would go to the budget reserve. The committee estimated next year's CPA budget at $1,823,511 but noted that final figures depend on the Department of Revenue's CP-2 certification.

Councilors asked clarifying questions about the state match (the state match figure cited was $250,162 as an estimate and can vary with transfer-tax receipts). The motion to refer the CPA FY26 budget to the full City Council for adoption was made by Councilor Perera and seconded by Councilor Lopes; the committee voted to refer the item with no recorded opposition.

The CPA committee representatives said they were available to answer questions but did not present further details. The CPA budget item will be placed on the City Council agenda for consideration on Sept. 25.

","The Committee on Finance received the Community Preservation Act (CPA) FY26 budget and referred it to the full City Council. Committee members heard that up to 5% is proposed for administrative funds, 10% each for open space, historic resources and community housing, and about 65% reserved; FY26 estimate is $1,823,511 (estimate pending DOR CP-2).",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6467292,"Committee approves referral to increase health department compliance revolving fund to $60,000",574,160000,734000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5795634-bbc28cc6c22d2359f2ac8efbc439f1eb&start=160&end=734","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5795634-bbc28cc6c22d2359f2ac8efbc439f1eb/thumbnail_160000.jpg","/articles/6467292/New-Bedford-City/Bristol-County/Massachusetts/Committee-approves-referral-to-increase-health-department-compliance-revolving-fund-to-60000","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6467292-f282c0547480086c4b372986a3dbc81d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771152150&Signature=ET6ubiy~rRklpPWEFck2U5JPp9NtvPTgKCAU~IwirbUYqnmwQ2OmiGw-A~iBhnbB~v7PqM130-Y2Izw6QU~rBkZst7SX68PdDQndOhchklB6NjW9xnOwHb3459nLcYq-T09LZ6SErvsjVZqP8k-52mCARiTS5KO-1uBqtD0vESx0e-ZDASK1DgSX5tiQHoOLtRecyqN1U--8vKj~Gj93gd~5NfJ30bj~9S3oCvjWd6aMWULtKCWh8v3biIEh5Sb8XtgPcts0y6uNn2ygG0Z6Jk~uQnwupHefYb-3WjYRLxGN1j65gcheEvGhwsRSK81Cayb2PQoIiCePN-ooq6pXaw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The New Bedford Committee on Finance voted to refer to the full City Council an order from Mayor Mitchell to authorize a $60,000 limit for the Health Department and Compliance Programs revolving fund for fiscal year 2026.

Committee Chair Linda Morad said the item was submitted under Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 44, ' 53E 1/2 and that the requested amount is $10,000 higher than the prior year. The committee voted to receive the order and to refer it to the full City Council for adoption.

The administration's presenter, Stephanie (Health Department), told the committee the increase responds to uncertainty in grant funding that previously covered part of the department's compliance and education work. She said a community-education grant that accompanied tobacco compliance checks was not renewed this year, and the Health Department may need to use revolving-fund resources to cover that education role. The department has also applied for grant funding to start alcohol compliance checks with the police department but said it will stand up the alcohol program even if the grant is not awarded because staff have observed an increase in alcohol-related problems in the city.

Councilor Joseph Lopes asked for estimated costs for the programs; Stephanie said she would provide cost estimates to the clerk. Councilor Ryan Perera asked how revenue for the revolving account is generated; Stephanie said the account is funded by fines from compliance checks (for example, sales to minors and sales of flavored products that are not allowed in Massachusetts). Treasurer/finance staff noted the fund currently has a balance of about $105,000 carried forward from prior years, and that unspent appropriations roll into the next fiscal year when revenues exceed the spending cap.

The motion to refer the order to the full City Council for adoption was made by Councilor Perera, seconded by Councilor Oliver, and approved with the ayes prevailing.

The item will appear on the September 25 City Council agenda for final action.

","The New Bedford Committee on Finance voted to refer to the full City Council an order from Mayor Mitchell to raise the Health Department's compliance programs revolving fund limit to $60,000 for FY2026, citing uncertainty in grant funding for tobacco and new alcohol compliance work.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6467279,"Committee recommends accepting state law allowing city to reclaim unclaimed funds",1502,2002000,3504000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5795634-bbc28cc6c22d2359f2ac8efbc439f1eb&start=2002&end=3504","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5795634-bbc28cc6c22d2359f2ac8efbc439f1eb/thumbnail_2002000.jpg","/articles/6467279/New-Bedford-City/Bristol-County/Massachusetts/Committee-recommends-accepting-state-law-allowing-city-to-reclaim-unclaimed-funds","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6467279-94f1e6cfc6cbee72324c7802cb55fcdf/orig.mp4?Expires=1771152150&Signature=TDIShyB12VStKMa59DW-HRoiXS8nT6MCE9zM11NXBw73BpOkuxZRLLf2Nl4t-jBLyGXOdHDUpz-v1IRscv4rhzBzD4xpZeulKq57U5JkwOVKMjF4jEPYsXLvqQA6npHyw~sQC85Bv1uz~4cgIkXtedqQmTTKf0~~eGPjHHB-OwiUfg3TI1~ryqlqS68tB84GBkC2~dc4jvRS7EaFYO5lmpmsgEerQ5X3g8R8ntXY-GqO9H8bhLlgoG2eZ4v60SscOYCJIEv7EfN93OTfuz1dyDNrGgyyzDOJe-Nud00-n8nmQ4WAHZXOWF2CoH8Z6rQNtmz-8A8EdHZSadco8fNN4Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Committee on Finance voted to refer to the full City Council an order from Mayor Mitchell to accept Massachusetts General Laws chapter 200A, section 9A, which provides a municipal procedure for disposing of abandoned and unclaimed funds.

John (Treasury) explained that acceptance of ch. 200A, ' 9A would allow the city to post a notice of apparent owners of funds held by the city, instruct claimants how to pursue those funds, and after required notice periods and advertising, treat unclaimed amounts as revenue to the city's general fund. The first step would be a 60-day posting on the city website. For amounts over $100 that remain unclaimed after the posting, the statute requires a general-publication notice in the city and then a county-level publication; the department noted the city would post a single ad listing all items.

Councilors asked clarifying questions about how checks become outstanding (accounts-payable checks not cashed) and how far back the office would search. John said acceptance of the law would allow the city to research outstanding items and follow the statutory procedure; staff estimated the back-end research to identify outstanding items could take a couple of months. Treasury staff and councilors discussed payroll checks separately; payroll would not be included under this procedure without additional legal review.

The motion to receive and place on file and to refer the order to the full City Council for adoption was made by Councilor Pereira, seconded by Councilor Giesta, and the committee approved the referral. Treasury staff said the city currently has an outstanding-checks register (across many accounts) that can be produced and that the office plans to use improved cash-management tools to streamline reconciliation.

","Finance committee voted to refer to the full City Council an order to accept Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 200A, ' 9A, which sets a procedure for the city to post and reclaim unclaimed funds (checks and similar items) and record unclaimed amounts as general-fund revenue after required notices and waiting periods.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council requests fuller list of tax-exempt properties as assessor considers pilot PILOT program; item tabled for 90 days

Council presses solicitor and economic development for local TIF/SDA policy; item tabled for 30 days

Community Preservation Committee budget received and referred to full council; FY26 estimate $1.82 million

Committee approves referral to increase health department compliance revolving fund to $60,000

Committee recommends accepting state law allowing city to reclaim unclaimed funds