FINAL BLOOMFIELD TOWN COUNCIL There was a regular meeting of the Bloomfield Town Council held at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, March 26, 2018 in Council Chambers, Bloomfield Town Hall, 800 Bloomfield Avenue, Bloomfield, CT. Present were: Mayor Suzette DeBeatham-Brown, Deputy Mayor Rickford Kirton, Councilors David Mann, Kevin Gough, Patrick DeLorenzo, Jennifer Marshall-Nealy, Kenneth McClary and Elizabeth Waterhouse Also present were: Philip K. Schenck, Jr., Town Manager, Sharron Howe, Assistant to the Town Manager and India M. Rodgers, Clerk of Council Absent was: Councilor Joseph Merritt PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The meeting began with the pledge of allegiance to the flag. It was moved by Deputy Mayor Kirton, seconded by Councilor McClary and voted unanimously to modify the order of the Council agenda beginning with Citizens Statements and Petitions. CITIZENS’ STATEMENTS AND PETITIONS 1. Archbishop LeRoy Bailey, Senior Pastor of the First Cathedral, 146 Orchard Road, West Hartford, CT has been the pastor of The First Cathedral for the past 47 years. He expressed his discontent regarding the taxation of churches and non-profit organizations. He mentioned several challenges when the church initially moved to Bloomfield from the North End of Hartford. The current proposed tax assessment has increased from $125,000 to $6.7 million. He stated that this gross assessment is politically motivated, because he has chosen not to endorse any candidate, and take a political position. 2. Michael Bailey, Co-Pastor of the First Cathedral, 32 Winthrop Road, Windsor, CT stated that this tactic is disturbing and unsettling to have political adversaries disrupt the work of the church. He requested that the Town Manager, Town Assessor and Town Attorney rectify this situation sooner than later. It is egregious abuses of power and the church will not tolerate this manipulative action. 3. LeRoy Bailey, III, Co-Pastor & Executive Director of Operations, 7 Tuller Circle, Simsbury, CT – stated that The First Cathedral has been a part of this community for the past 18 years. He inquired about reasonable grounds for taxation on the church. 4. Larlie Alvaranga, 85 Mountain Avenue, has been a member of The First Cathedral since 1999. She voiced concerns regarding tax exempt status of the church. Ms. Alvaranga stated that churches should remain tax exempt and gave several reasons of why they should not be taxed. She also alluded to the importance of separation of church and state and expressed the right to execute their religious freedoms. 5. State Representative Brandon McGee, 43 Warren Street, Hartford, CT stated the importance of the role of the church in the community. He stated that State of Connecticut does not support taxation of 501c3 organizations. 6. Venton Forbes, 15 Harvest Lane, inquired about the internal process and procedures regarding taxation issues with churches. He also stated that The First Cathedral has been involved in numerous community events, participated in the school system as mentors, sponsored an annual health and wellness fair, provide donations for diaper and food drives and back to school backpack donations. Mr. Forbes noted that the thought process is misguided and encouraged the Town do what is right. 7. Cyrus Sutherland, 348 Vine Street, Hartford, CT, stated that The First Cathedral is a magnet to the community. While in town for church services or events, members and visitors choose to patronize local businesses within the community. He noted by taxing the church, the Town may jeopardize the economic impact on local businesses. 8. Ruel Myles, 391 Park Avenue mentioned issues regarding taxes on insurance and the process to collect. He also expressed concerns regarding the potential resolutions to assist homeowners with crumbling foundation issues. 9. Jacquele Ortiz-Mortar, Bloomfield discussed the vital role of the church within community, focusing on public health, social justice and mental health. She also mentioned the benefits of The First Cathedral Annual Health Fair and its impact on the community. 10. Pat Ward, 102 R Filley Street expressed her opinion about the reduction of financial resources from the State of Connecticut to municipalities. She also stated that the town is seeking alternative ways to supplement lost revenues. 11. Richard Griffiths, 45 Farmbrook Drive, Tolland, CT is a 24 year member of The First Cathedral and Chairman of the Deacon Board, expressed his frustration and is still unclear of the reasoning for taxation on churches and non-profit organizations. He urged the Council to reconsider their decision. 12. Vicki Banks, 181 O’Connell Drive, East Hartford, CT reminded all that the Church is for all people, by the people and for the community. 13. Joseph Dakers, 4 Pine Comb Road, Ellington, CT has been a member of the First Cathedral for the past 16 years and serves as a Trustee and Deacon. He mentioned that parishioners pay 10% of gross income to tithes and offerings to support the church. Mr. Dakers explained the various church activities and events that are a part of the ministry as a whole. He expressed concerns regarding the town obtaining information of salaries for church officials. The town is aware of the cell tower, however permits for the daycare center and the credit union have been omitted from the assessment. He recommended a resolution to this issue; take the income of the credit union and capitalize it into a value and tax that portion. It was noted that the lessee of the credit union is responsible for payment of those taxes. 14. Freddie Graves, 18 Florence Street, Hartford, CT discussed the issues with church versus state. 15. Andre Jett, 16 Barton Drive, Canton, CT inquired about the timing of deciding to tax the church now versus 18 years ago when they decided to move to Bloomfield. He also listed all of the services they provide to the community. 16. Pastor Daylin Greer, Pastor of Bethel A.M.E. Church is also the Vice President of the Greater Hartford Interministral Alliance, is not in agreement with taxation on any level. He expressed his total support of the First Cathedral and all of the churches in Bloomfield to prevent taxation. Bethel A.M.E. Church continue to struggle with paying taxes for a 17.5 acre property that they currently own. Pastor Greer also mentioned the difficulty in seeking grant funding for various programs to assist the Bloomfield community He inquired about the lack of communication to invite other religious leaders to express their concerns at this meeting. 17. State Senator Douglas McCrory, stated that he believes in justice and righteousness. The current policy at the State Legislature does not allow for taxation of non-profits. He also stated that as long as he is in office it will not become law. Senator McCrory encouraged the Council to work in collaboration with these entities to come to amicable solution. 18. Bishop Jonathan Ramsey Jr., Pastor of Rehoboth Church of God expressed his support of all churches that serve the Bloomfield community. He mentioned several volunteer services, counseling, spiritual and financial support that are offered to the community. Bishop Ramsey Jr. is willing to participate and partner together to work with one another to support church and community initiatives. 19. State Representative Bobby Gibson asked the Council to take into consideration the right action to support those if which they were elected to serve. The Council has received support from the church community in being elected to office. He also reiterated the importance of listening to concerns of the citizens. Mr. Gibson also referenced tax incentives towards businesses and the inequity imposed on these organizations. Mayor DeBeatham-Brown reiterated that this meeting was not a planned to discuss the issue of taxation on non- profit organizations. The Town Council meeting scheduled for this evening was noticed as a regular meeting, in which Citizens Statements & Petitions can be heard. In full disclosure, Mayor DeBeatham-Brown stated that she is an ordained minister, reiterated importance of the church and what it offers to the community. In addition, she also informed the public that the Council was not privied to information and did not initiate any such action. The Council honors all non-profits within town. The Council is grateful for their service and to everyone who patronizes businesses in town. Mayor DeBeatham- Brown mentioned that the Council would like to get a clearer understanding of the reasoning for taxation of churches and non-profits and resolve this issue. Mayor DeBeatham-Brown stated that she would like to schedule a Special Meeting of the Bloomfield Town Council for Thursday, March 29, 2018 at 5:00 p.m. to continue further discussion and possible resolution regarding this issue. She thanked all who came out in support of the churches and non-profits and to voice concerns to this issue. There was an ensued discussion among Council members and leadership from the First Cathedral regarding the taxation of churches and non-profit organizations. Deputy Mayor Kirton requested of the Town Manager to explain the tax assessment process and the issue at hand relative to the taxation of churches and non-profits. Mr. Philip K. Schenck, Jr., Town Manager gave a brief overview of the initial process in pursuing taxation with churches and non-profits. The current state law require that all non-profits must file a quadrennial renewal every 4 years. Mr. Schenck, Jr. alluded to correspondence that was sent to The First Cathedral, with no response back to the town. Since the documentation was not received from The First Cathedral, the Town pursued the assessment process and the church was added to the Grand List of the town. In addition, the town has a reserve against tax refunds/modifications made throughout the year.