| MINUTES OF THE MONTHLY WORKING/SPECIAL MEETING OF THE COMMISSIONERS TOWN of BELLEFONTE, Delaware November 30th, 2004 |
The meeting began at 7:05 p.m. Attending were Commissioners Curt, Dave, Curt, Terry,
Kathy, and Scott and committee members Joan Darvish-Rouhani, Rich Mulhern, and Alan
Matas.
Correspondence - Scott reported that we had received the $1,000 grant from DEMA for
passing the resolution at the last meeting.
Comprehensive Town Plan - The first topic was a report from Planning and Development
Committee. Terry presented a decision grid outlining the pros and cons of developing a
comprehensive town plan versus doing a hometown overlay. Those attending reviewed the
table. The committee recommends proceeding with the comprehensive town plan, the
Commission agrees. Terry will report back on next steps and the costs that may be involved.
BTC Annual Budget - Terry and Scott requested that Curt attend this meeting because they
think that the annual budget, approved by the previous Commission members, needs to be
revised and restated before the end of the year. After discussion, Curt agreed to produce a
report to show the Commission where the budget variances will be occurring which will help us
prepare next year's budget.
Real Estate Transfer Tax - Terry raised the issue of instituting a real estate transfer tax in
Bellefonte.Currently, Bellefonte carves itself out of transfer tax, and real estate transactions in
Bellefonte are only taxed by the County (we believe 1.5%). According to Delaware Code,
Terry said that any municipality government may institute a transfer tax of up to 1.5% (total of
3%). Municipalities may also limit the tax to the buyer or seller, or both. Delaware Code does
say how this money can be used, primarily for capital expenses, such as maintenance and repair
of municipal property. Scott stated his opposition to imposing new tax until we have a revised
budget that accurately states the town's fiscal state. He also thinks that it is a nice incentive for
people who buy property in Bellefonte and is even mentioned in some real estate ads for house
in Bellefonte. Terry is concerned that the town would be running in the red without the rental
income from the day care center. Dave and Curt felt that the transfer tax would be relatively
painless since most buyers finance their closing costs over the life of the mortgage. Curt ran a
report and said that the town missed out on $40-50,000 in revenue so far this year from transfer
tax. Terry said that he would investigate how to go about instituting a transfer tax, how the
money must be used, what other incorporated towns charge, and report back.
Facilities / Fire Code Violations - Scott reported that the new roof had been put on and that
the new boiler was installed in the day care center. He also reported that he had a meeting
scheduled on Dec 1 with a rep from Security Instruments, the day care center's fire alarm
company, about adding Town Hall to the monitoring system. The rep cautioned us that their
design for Town Hall had to be reviewed and approved by the Fire Marshall's office, and that
the request for a building this old was likely to trigger an in-person inspection. He wanted us to
be aware that other violations might be identified. In light of this, Scott requested up to $500 to
have the front doors of Town Hall turned to open out as soon as possible (in the event of an
inspection). He made a motion, Terry seconded, and the vote was unanimous. He also
reported that the light bulbs in the exit signs had been replaced and are working. This leaves
smoke detection as the last area to be addressed. He will have an estimate for expansion of the
detection system for the Town Meeting.
Holiday Decorations and Activities - Kathy reported that her committee decided that it was
a better use of funds to purchase artificial decorations for the lampposts and Town Hall, so that
they could be used each year. For this reason, she made a motion that her authorization to
spend $300 be revised to a maximum of up to $500 for decorations and refreshments for
holiday activities. Scott seconded and the vote was unanimous.
Grants - Kathy and Scott reported that they were working on submitting a Community
Development Block Grant (CDGB) to New Castle County to pay for the handicap access
project and improve the park. Scott reported that the Commission needed to pass a resolution
for each application that 1) the Commission endorsed the application for funds, and 2) pledging
to spend the money, if awarded, according to Federal and local laws. The resolution was read
and approved, and Dave signed. The application deadline is Friday, December 3, at 5 p.m.
The meeting adjourned at 9:10 pm. Some commissioners stayed to do some repair work at
Town Hall.
Kathy, and Scott and committee members Joan Darvish-Rouhani, Rich Mulhern, and Alan
Matas.
Correspondence - Scott reported that we had received the $1,000 grant from DEMA for
passing the resolution at the last meeting.
Comprehensive Town Plan - The first topic was a report from Planning and Development
Committee. Terry presented a decision grid outlining the pros and cons of developing a
comprehensive town plan versus doing a hometown overlay. Those attending reviewed the
table. The committee recommends proceeding with the comprehensive town plan, the
Commission agrees. Terry will report back on next steps and the costs that may be involved.
BTC Annual Budget - Terry and Scott requested that Curt attend this meeting because they
think that the annual budget, approved by the previous Commission members, needs to be
revised and restated before the end of the year. After discussion, Curt agreed to produce a
report to show the Commission where the budget variances will be occurring which will help us
prepare next year's budget.
Real Estate Transfer Tax - Terry raised the issue of instituting a real estate transfer tax in
Bellefonte.Currently, Bellefonte carves itself out of transfer tax, and real estate transactions in
Bellefonte are only taxed by the County (we believe 1.5%). According to Delaware Code,
Terry said that any municipality government may institute a transfer tax of up to 1.5% (total of
3%). Municipalities may also limit the tax to the buyer or seller, or both. Delaware Code does
say how this money can be used, primarily for capital expenses, such as maintenance and repair
of municipal property. Scott stated his opposition to imposing new tax until we have a revised
budget that accurately states the town's fiscal state. He also thinks that it is a nice incentive for
people who buy property in Bellefonte and is even mentioned in some real estate ads for house
in Bellefonte. Terry is concerned that the town would be running in the red without the rental
income from the day care center. Dave and Curt felt that the transfer tax would be relatively
painless since most buyers finance their closing costs over the life of the mortgage. Curt ran a
report and said that the town missed out on $40-50,000 in revenue so far this year from transfer
tax. Terry said that he would investigate how to go about instituting a transfer tax, how the
money must be used, what other incorporated towns charge, and report back.
Facilities / Fire Code Violations - Scott reported that the new roof had been put on and that
the new boiler was installed in the day care center. He also reported that he had a meeting
scheduled on Dec 1 with a rep from Security Instruments, the day care center's fire alarm
company, about adding Town Hall to the monitoring system. The rep cautioned us that their
design for Town Hall had to be reviewed and approved by the Fire Marshall's office, and that
the request for a building this old was likely to trigger an in-person inspection. He wanted us to
be aware that other violations might be identified. In light of this, Scott requested up to $500 to
have the front doors of Town Hall turned to open out as soon as possible (in the event of an
inspection). He made a motion, Terry seconded, and the vote was unanimous. He also
reported that the light bulbs in the exit signs had been replaced and are working. This leaves
smoke detection as the last area to be addressed. He will have an estimate for expansion of the
detection system for the Town Meeting.
Holiday Decorations and Activities - Kathy reported that her committee decided that it was
a better use of funds to purchase artificial decorations for the lampposts and Town Hall, so that
they could be used each year. For this reason, she made a motion that her authorization to
spend $300 be revised to a maximum of up to $500 for decorations and refreshments for
holiday activities. Scott seconded and the vote was unanimous.
Grants - Kathy and Scott reported that they were working on submitting a Community
Development Block Grant (CDGB) to New Castle County to pay for the handicap access
project and improve the park. Scott reported that the Commission needed to pass a resolution
for each application that 1) the Commission endorsed the application for funds, and 2) pledging
to spend the money, if awarded, according to Federal and local laws. The resolution was read
and approved, and Dave signed. The application deadline is Friday, December 3, at 5 p.m.
The meeting adjourned at 9:10 pm. Some commissioners stayed to do some repair work at
Town Hall.