Medford council presses administration for tax-bill outreach, votes to study residential exemption

Councilor Scarpelli told the Medford City Council on Jan. 20 that multiple residents, including seniors and small-business owners, called after receiving unexpectedly large tax bills and said they had not been prepared for the change.

“George, my tax bill this month is $2,800 and living on a fixed income, she doesn't know how she's gonna be able to pay $2,800,” Councilor Scarpelli said, describing a call from a constituent.

The council spent more than an hour on the topic, with several members urging clearer communications from the assessor’s office and the Mayor’s Communications Office and asking the Administration and Finance Committee to examine a possible residential/homeowner exemption.

Why it matters: The city enacted a property-tax override last fall; councilors and residents now say some residents did not understand how the override and updated assessments would change quarterly bills. Councilors said failing to provide clearer explanations could disproportionately affect seniors, veterans, disabled residents and small landlords that rent to vulnerable tenants.

What was discussed: Councilors said the assessor’s office has been responsive but that information needs to be more digestible and widely distributed. Vice President Collins said the assessor’s office had been fielding many calls and is working with communications to make materials “bite-sized and accessible.” Councilor Lemming shared a spreadsheet residents can use to compare FY24 and FY25 assessed values and estimate quarterly impacts; the spreadsheet was distributed publicly by councilors.

Several councilors urged more public drop-in sessions and listening sessions at community locations. Councilor Scarpelli proposed a resolution (the “A” paper) that began by saying the city failed to prepare residents and requested immediate listening and education sessions and a homeowner exemption discussion; that paper failed in a roll call vote. Vice President Collins offered amended language (the “B” paper) that narrowed some of the more political language and added specific follow-up steps; the council adopted the amended B paper.

Formal outcome: The council approved the B paper directing the Administration and Finance Committee to explore a possible residential/homeowner exemption and to work with the assessor’s office and the Mayor’s Communications Office to improve outreach and abatement assistance. The original A paper (Councilor Scarpelli’s version) failed on a roll call (three in favor, the remainder opposed).

Details and next steps: - Abatement deadline: Councilors noted an application deadline for abatement filings of Monday, Feb. 3 (must be postmarked by USPS or received by assessor’s office by 4:30 p.m.). - Assessor contacts named in discussion: Assessor Kossian and assistant assessor Dagjian (cited as the offices fielding calls and updating materials). - Possible state action: Vice President Collins proposed a Home Rule petition to the state to expand local exemption authority; the B paper asks the council to explore that path and to seek additional state, federal and private grant opportunities for residents and small businesses.

Who said it (selected): Councilor Scarpelli (raising constituent examples about seniors and small-business impacts); Vice President Collins (assessor outreach and proposed amendment); Councilor Lemming (shared spreadsheet resource); Councilor Callahan and Councilor Singh (urging committee referral and balanced language).

Community reaction and public comment: Multiple residents spoke in favor of stronger outreach during the meeting’s public comment period. Andrew Castanetti and others urged the council to consider the state’s owner-occupied residential exemption (MGL c.59 §5C) as one option to provide direct relief.

Ending: Councilors agreed to pursue committee-level work this winter and early spring to develop options for a residential exemption, improved abatement guidance and listening sessions. The council directed staff to post clearer abatement instructions and confirmed the Feb. 3 abatement timeline for residents wishing to file.