APPROVED 11-7-07
Minutes of Meeting
Town of Monson
Board of Assessors
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Members Present: Chairman Russell Bressette Jr., Assessors David Royce and Craig Benoit
Members Absent:
Principal Assessor: Diane L. Hildreth
Open the Meeting: The meeting was called to order at 4:30 pm.
Accept the Minutes: A motion was made by David and seconded by Craig to accept the meeting minutes of October 10, 2007. Motion passed unanimously.
OLD BUSINESS:
Appellate Tax Board Cases: The board discussed the last two remaining Appellate Tax Board cases still pending. Property owned by Stephen L. Phillips, Trustee on Wilbraham Road was settled once supporting documentation was received. Mr. Phillips submitted his Withdrawal paperwork to the ATB and the board signed off with an abatement in the amount of $767.22. One outstanding case remains open for property located on Old Wales Road owned by Howard & Theresa Hatch. Hatch has contacted this office to see if the assessors would come to an agreement to settle this case or agree to a postponement. The board had requested documentation from Hatch in August 2007 to determine if there was supporting information to come to a settlement. Mr. Hatch has not provided any information as of yet. A motion was made by David and seconded by Craig not to grant a postponement based on the fact the Board of Assessors requested additional information and Hatch failed to provide the information. Motion
passed unanimously. Diane will call Hatch regarding the Assessors decision and will follow up with a letter.
NEW BUSINESS:
Preliminary Certification: The board discussed the pending Preliminary Certification approval. Once approval is received a press release will be in the paper regarding the Public Disclosure Period which will include our website address for additional information. The office will be open at least two nights so all taxpayers will have the opportunity to review their values. Diane will post FY 2008 Proposed Valuation listings on the town website.
Excise: The board approved all 2007 Motor Vehicle and Trailer Excise abatements in the amount of $1,649.17.
Uncollectible RE Tax: The board revisited the Uncollectible RE Tax request from the Tax Collector. A motion was made by David and seconded by Craig to rescind the decision to approve the Notification of Uncollectible RE tax and continue this current discussion at our next meeting to gain more information or invite the Collector to our meeting. Motion passed unanimously.
Chapterland Applications: The board reviewed all Chapter 61, 61A & 61B applications for FY 2009. A motion was made by David and seconded by Craig to accept and approve all Chapter 61, 61A & 61B application for FY 2009 without exceptions. Motion passed unanimously. The exceptions were application filed past the deadline. Discussion centered around the provision in the law that gives a taxpayer the right to file a Chapterland application during the real estate abatement period in the year of a revaluation program. After serious consideration a motion was made by David and seconded by Craig to accept the late applications put before the board received after the deadline due to revaluation exception provision in the law. Motion passed unanimously.
Office Updates: Draft copies of maps are now in house from Tighe & Bond. The review process of the draft maps will begin with the help of a high school intern. Diane will present an Exemption Seminar at the Senior Center on November 6, 2007. Board members are encouraged to attend. The office will be closed from 12 – 3 pm that afternoon..
NEXT MEETING: The next meeting has been scheduled for November 7, 2007 @ 7:00pm.
ADJOURN: At 6:40p.m., a motion was made by David and seconded by Craig to adjourn. Motion passed unanimously.
| 
