Approved as amended 2/20/08
Minutes of Meeting
Town of Monson
Board of Assessors
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Members Present: Chairman Russell Bressette Jr., Assessor Craig Benoit
Members Absent: Assessor David Royce
Principal Assessor: Diane L. Hildreth
Open the Meeting: The meeting was called to order at 9:30 am. The board had a 9:30 a.m. appointment with the new owners of 288 Main Street. In order to accommodate this group a motion was made by Craig and seconded by Russell to relocate this meeting to the Historical Society Room upstairs to accommodate the number of attendees.
288 Main Street: Attendee’s included Andy Scott, Owner; Shawn Donohoe, Project Manager; Edward Harrison, Selectmen. Tower View LLC purchased 288 Main Street (the former Zero Manufacturing building) on November 26, 2007 for $1. The new owners wanted to discuss the December 19, 2007 walk thru inspection by the Board of Assessors, the possibility of applying for an abatement and also to discuss a potential special assessment to promote economic development under Chapter 23A Section 3E. The board is aware and has noted of the condition and the environmental issues at this property. The board’s opinion of a special assessment was favorable but explained that it is ultimately the Board of Selectmen’s final decision to put before the townspeople at a future town meeting. The board
reconvened back to the assessor’s office to continue the meeting.
Accept the Minutes: A motion was made by Craig and seconded by Russell to accept the minutes of January 16, 2008. Motion passed unanimously.
OLD BUSINESS:
Land Condition Factors: Information compiled for all parcels with a condition factor greater than or less than 1. This will be reviewed at future meeting.
NEW BUSINESS:
Excise: The board approved 2008 Motor Vehicle and Trailer Excise Commitment 1 in the amount of $688,871.25 and 2007 Motor Vehicle and Trailer Excise Commitment 7 in the amount of $11,236.57.
Chapterland: The board via the FY 2008 Abatement process approved 7 Chapterland applications for FY08. This also allows these seven applications to be classified as Chapterland for FY 2009. Also received is a Notice to Sell a tract of land currently in 61B. The potential buyer is an abutter to this property with plans to continue the 61B classification.
Abatement Applications: All abatement applications put before the board were approved with three exceptions. Two applications along with Chapterland paperwork that are currently classified as chapterland were denied. One personal property application was denied for a Telephone/Telegraph company. This account has been assessed as a 505, accordingly with the Commissioner of Revenue values. Until the courts have settled the valuation issue between telephone companies and the state’s valuation practice the board will continue to use the 505 values. The abatement deadline is days away with approximately 75 applications received. In reviewing the applications received many were due to the state statute, allowing applicants to apply for chapterland designation during a revaluation
program and the inspection visits completed after public disclosure but prior to mailing of tax bills accounted for more than half of the total number of abatements received.
Office Updates: Tax map project is progressing. Patrick Mahar, student intern has been working out extremely well in reviewing the new maps. The motherboard in one of the main computers in the office has ceased to function. A new computer is being ordered and will be paid for out of the Town offices computer /machinery upgrade funds.
NEXT MEETING: The next meeting has been scheduled for Wednesday, February 20, 2008 @ 9:30 am.
ADJOURN: At 12:15 p.m., a motion was made by Craig and seconded by Russell to adjourn. Motion passed unanimously.
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