APPROVED 3/19/2010
Minutes of Meeting
Town of Monson
Board of Assessors
Thursday February 25, 2010
Members Present: Chairman Russell Bressette Jr., Assessors Craig Benoit and Allan Curtis
Members Absent:
Attendees: Mr. John Arooth, Mr. Joseph Dasco
Principal Assessor: Ann P. Murphy
Open the Meeting: The meeting was called to order at 11:30am.
Accept the Minutes: A motion was made by Craig and seconded by Allan to accept the January 27, 2010 minutes as written. The motion passed unanimously.
OLD BUSINESS:
Uncollectable Excise: The Board of Assessors discussed the draft of the policy that was submitted at the previous meeting amending the process from “an Abatement of Tax” to “a Settlement of Levy. The Board has requested a new report from the Tax Collector so that the wording of the request matches the wording on the new policy.
Warren Group: The Board was updated that the fee schedule is current and that other assessing offices in the state do not charge the Warren Group for this electronic copy of our records. The Board has instructed the Principal Assessor to get an opinion from Town Counsel on whether our office is in line with other town offices that provide reports for fees of $250.
NEW BUSINESS:
62 Upper Palmer Rd: The Board met with Mr. Arooth regarding his abatement application. Mr. Arooth said that he feels that his property is overvalued for a trailer that was built in 1962. The Board discussed how trailers are valued and showed him comparable properties. The Board told Mr. Arooth that they would like to visit his property in order to make an informed decision regarding his abatement. Mr. Arooth will call the office to schedule that visit.
75 Bradway Rd: The Board met with Mr. Dasco regarding his abatement application. Mr. Dasco said that he felt that having a conservation restriction on his land should merit a decrease in the value of his property for several reasons. The land has a permanent lien on it by the Trustees of the Reservation. He does not have the same rights as other land owners because of this restriction. He feels that the town should look into a tax reduction for land with conservation restricitions on it, he said that he believes that there is something in state law regarding this. The Board explained how land is assessed in Monson. The Board also discussed the state programs that are available for classifying land that would give a reduction in value, mainly chapterland programs. The
Board also told Mr. Dasco that they would look into the state laws regarding conservation restrictions and land value prior to their decision on his abatement application.
Abatements: The Board voted to approve 3 Real Estate Abatements. They reviewed the other abatements and need more information before they can make a decision.
Exemptions: The Board voted and approved the following exemptions:
- 1 Elderly exemption clause 41C in the amount of $750
- 1 Veterans exemption clause 22 in the amount of $400
Statutory Exemption: The Board denied 1 Statutory Exemption.
Abatements: The Board voted to approve the following Motor Vehicle Abatements:
- 2010 abatements in the amount of $1,759.69
- 2009 abatements in the amount of $1,623.98
- 2008 abatements in the amount of $115.31
- 2007 abatements in the amount of $88.75
Chapter 59 Section 61A: The board signed the office policy regarding the Chapter 59 Section 61A request.
Tower View LLC: The board discussed scheduling the annual visit to review the progress that is being made at 288 Main Street.
The board was updated on all miscellaneous items
NEXT MEETING: The next meeting has been scheduled for Thursday, March 18, 2010 @ 11:30 a.m.
ADJOURN: At 1pm, a motion was made by Craig and seconded by Allan to adjourn. The motion passed unanimously.
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