The City Council on Tuesday, Nov. 18, approved tax incentives for Southwick Apparel, the company that manufactures Brooks Brothers suits, as the clothing company plans a move to Haverhill by early next year.

But the council rejected Mayor James Fiorentini's request to tax other businesses in the city at the highest percentage possible, during what is known as a tax classification hearing.

During its regular weekly meeting, the City Council voted to continue to tax homeowners at a lower rate than businesses, but not by as wide a margin as Fiorentini sought.

The City Council approved a factor of 1.45 for business, meaning that businesses would pay a 45 percent higher rate than if all property in the city were taxed equally.

The council's rate would result in a tax increase of roughly $100 on the average home, rather than the $70 increase that would result from the mayor's request of a 1.50 factor. The average tax bill this fiscal year was $3,290.

For businesses, the council's preferred 1.45 factor would result in a tax increase of $700 rather than the increase of $1,145 that would result from the 1.50 factor. The average tax bill for commercial property this fiscal year in Haverhill was roughly $10,600.

The mayor on Tuesday said he would veto the council's vote. He scheduled an announcement on Thursday afternoon at the Citizens Center.

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AGENDA

1. Communication from Mayor Fiorentini requesting to address Council regarding Southwick Apparel Tax Increment Finance (TIF) agreement and related resolution — Placed on file.

Related communication from William Pillsbury, Economic Development and Planning director

1b.RESOLUTION - 20 Computer Drive, designate as TIF zone for Southwick Apparel LLC — Approved, 8-0-1

2. Appointment by Mayor:

Brownfields Steering Committee: Heather McMann — Placed on file.

PETITIONS

3. Applications for Hawker/Peddler license from:

a. Paul Abare to sell Christmas trees, wreaths and baskets at 403 River St., Sunday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 9 p. m., beginning Wednesday, Nov. 26, through Christmas Day, Dec. 25. — Approved, 8-0-1

b. Milton Russell to sell Christmas trees and wreaths at Elks, 24 Summer

St., Nov. 29 through Dec. 24, Monday through Friday from 4 to 8pm and Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. — Approved, 8-0-1

4. Application for 2008 drainlayer license from David M Zanni — Approved, 8-0-1

5. Application for Tag Days from HHS Model UN, Dec. 12-14; Related communication from Police Chief Alan DeNaro Approved, 8-0-1, with condition that this is the only tag day for the school year.

6. Application from Bill Walsh, Brice Builders, requesting to accept Moccasin Path as a public way — On Walnut Creek Estates. — Referred to Planning Board; council hearing on Jan. 13.

7. Application from Douglas Ahern, Jeffco Inc., requesting to accept Willow and Hannah streets as public ways. — Referred to Planning Board; council hearing on Jan. 13.

8. Application from Attorney James Waldron representing North Avenue Realty Trust requesting special permit to build 27 multi-family rental units in four buildings on Farrwood Drive. — Referred to Planning Board; council hearing on Jan. 13.

9. Petition from Verizon New England and Massachusetts Electric Company requesting joint pole location on High Street. — Hearing on Dec. 9 — Suspension approved, 8-0-1

10. Communication from attorney Vincent Manzi Jr. regarding Document 125, Ridgecrest Special Permit PUD - withdrawing application without

prejudice; scheduled for council hearing Dec. 2 — Approved, 8-0-1

11. Communication from James Jaguga, president Haverhill Chamber of Commerce, announcing Christmas Stroll Dec. 7 and submitting several related requests. — Approved, 7-0-2

12. Abatement report from Board of Assessors for month of October 2008 — Placed on file; approved, 8-0-1

HEARING

13. Communication from Board of Assessors for Tax Classification for Fiscal Year 2009. Items 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22 — Placed on file

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

14. Document 110-BB, communication from Mayor Fiorentini vetoing Document 110-B of 2008 regarding naming Bank Road to DeLuca Drive — Placed on file

15. Document 41-E, Ordinance re: Stop signs at Forest Avenue southeasterly) at intersection of Kenoza Avenue. — Approved, 8-0-1

16. Document 120, Ordinance re: Vehicles and Traffic, Chpt 240, s84, Schedule A: Service — Postponed to Dec. 2 on vote of 8-0-1

Zones - Loading zones downtown

NEW BUSINESS

17. Order that residential factor for fiscal year 2009 be adopted as 0.914524. — Approved, 5-3-1

18. Order that the City shall adopt a commercial exemption — Rejected, 0-8-1

19. Order that the City shall adopt a residential exemption. — Rejected, 0-8-1

20. Order that the City shall select an open space discount factor. — Rejected, 0-8-1

21. Order that the City Council of the City of Haverhill hereby accepts the

provisions of the Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 59, Section 5,

Clauses 17E and 41D with respect to permanent acceptance of the annual

C.P.I. index increase to the tax exemptions for the elderly. — Rejected, 0-8-1

22. Order that the City Council accept 100% of C.P.I. (Consumer Price Index) increase reported by the state for Fiscal Year 2009 exemptions. The 2009 C.P.I. amount is 3.4%. — Approved, 8-0-1

23. Order authorize Mayor to execute a Joinder to Memorandum of Master Lease Agreement and Grant of Easement - Lease of portion of Locke Street Parking Lot to Forest City — Amended and approved, 8-0-1

Related communication from William Cox Jr., city solicitor

24. Appropriate $415,000 from 40R receipts and transfer into Stabilization

Related communication from Mayor Fiorentini. — Approved, 8-0-1

25.Ordinance re: Fire Prevention. Placed on file 10 days

COMMITTEE REPORTS

26. Councilor Hall submits minutes of the Public Safety Committee meeting held on Nov. 6 — Accepted mayor's recommendation re: dog park and approved, 8-0-1

Related communication from Mayor Fiorentini

27. Councilor Scatamacchia submits minutes of the Planning and Development Committee meeting held on Nov. 13. — Placed on file

Adjourned at 8:03 p.m.