Melrose Select Board approves budget, seeks $900,000 in state fire-block aid

MELROSE — December 15, 2016 — Melrose approves 2017 budget and authorizes state legislative ask tied to 400 block fire reconstruction. The Select Board unanimously adopted a $17 million combined city-and-utility budget for 2017, holding the general tax levy near $940,000 for the fifth straight year while noting the effective tax rate will decrease due to rising property values. The board's most significant action was approving a formal state legislative ask — modeled on assistance previously secured by the city of Madelia after a similar disaster — seeking up to $900,000 in municipal infrastructure funding for the fire-damaged 400 block, with a realistic return estimated at $450,000. Staff reported the developer pursuing a multi-family project on the site lost a key grant and was granted a 60-day extension to regroup, with the city administrator noting conversations with the governor's office, State Representative Anderson, and State Senator Westrom. The board also approved a Microsoft 365 technology migration for city hall at $6,998.90 plus up to $5,000 in additional IT consulting, and declined to fund an economic development financial professional certification course for the recently hired community development director.