HomeMy Public PortalAboutAssessors Board -- 2019-02-13 Minutes eAt war TOWN OF BREWSTER OFFICE OF :
_ .A• ` 2198 MAIN STREET BOARD OF ASSESSORS
s BREWSTER, MA 02631
or a_ •a PHONE : ( 508) 896- 3701 EXT 1137
FAX : ( 508 ) 896- 8089
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MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF ASSESSORS N: EIIES ER Nt,iti r_. RK
Dates February 13 , 2019 — Regular Session1 -19 i ( j
Time : 5 : 30pm 1
Location : 2198 Main Street , Brewster, MA 02631
Present : Chair Belinda Eyestone ; Members G , Howard Hayes and Diane Salomone ;
Deputy Assessor James Gallagher ; Senior Department Assistant Erika Mawn
Call to Qrder : Ms . Eyestone called the meeting to order at 5 : 34pm ,
1 . Report of the Deputy Assessor : Mr . Gallagher reported to the Board that the Town has
come to an agreement with Peter Lombardi to serve as the new Town Administrator . The
2018 Annual Report has been submitted , Mr . Gallagher also reported on department
activities , including motor vehicle excise , sales reviews , state owned land , a recent letter in
the Cape Cod Times regarding property taxes , and upcoming vacation .
2 . Discuss and possible vote on local option tax exemption warrant articles (BRAVE Act,
Chapter 59 Section 5 Clause 22H , etc . ) : The Board discussed Ch . 59 s . 5 cl 22H . The
local option would provide a full tax exemption to parents of veterans killed in action or who
died as a result of illness or injury resulting from their service . Questions arose as to whether
this exemption was reimbursable from the state . This is a new exemption and guidance has
not yet been issued by the Department of Revenue . Mr . Hayes moved to wait until fall 2019
so more guidance and information can be provided . Ms . Eyestone seconds motion ,
unanimous .
There was further discussion as to a COLA increase for Veterans tax exemptions . Mr ,
Gallagher reported there were conflicting summaries of the BRAVE Act that indicated there
would be a local option for COLA increases . However, the actual language of the BRAVE
Act did not provide such an option . Mr . Gallagher will contact State Representative for
clarification ,
3 . Uncollectible Personal Property Tax Abatements : Mr . Gallagher reviewed the list of
uncollectible Personal Property Tax Abatements as presented in a memo from the
Treasurer/Collector dated February 11 , 2019 . Mr . Hayes moved to abate the uncollectible
bills as identified for a total amount of $ 1 , 343 . 82 . Ms , Eyestone seconded the motion ,
Approved unanimously .
4 . Review and approve Regular Session Meeting Minutes
• December 5 , 2018
Ms . Eyestone moved to approve the regular session minutes of December 5 , 2018 , Mr ,
Hayes seconds , approved unanimously .
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TOWN OF BREWSTER OFFICE OF:
o� •' iY '• Eq 2198 MAIN STREET
•; � BOARD OF ASSESSORS
3 's a BRE1vSTER, MA 02631
r a a PHONE : ( 508) 896-3701 EXT 1137
o 'tpp•?pA;,S' FAX : (508 ) 896 - 8089
% �110
5 . Topics the Chair did not reasonably anticipate : Classified Land Applications (Chapter
61 , 61A & 61B)
A Classified Land renewal application was received on February 13 , 2019 , Mr , Hayes
moved to approve the Classified Land Applications for Carl F . Ahlstom IV & Elizabeth C .
Perry, Parcel ID 26m l & 0 as recommended by the Deputy Assessor , Ms . Eyestone seconded
motion, approved unanimously .
Executive Session (To comply with or act under the authority of, any general or special law or
federal grant- in- aid requirements : MGL Chap . 59 Sec . 60 and MGL Chap . 214 Sec . 113 )
At 5 : 54pm Ms . Eyestone made the motion to go into Executive Session for the reason noted
above, not to return to regular session . Ms . Salomone seconded the motion . Roll call vote ;
Hayes — Aye ; Eyestone — Aye ; Salomone — Aye ; approved unanimously .
Documents Reviewed :
• Acts of 2018 , Chapter 218 ; AN ACT RELATIVE TO VETERANS ' BENEFITS ,
RIGHTS , APPRECIATION, VALIDATION AND ENFORCEMENT .
• Memo dated February 11 , 2019 ; From Lisa Vitale , Treasurer/Collector ; To James
Gallagher, Deputy Assessor ; RE ; Personal Property Tax Abatements .
• December 5 , 2018 Draft Minutes
• FY2020 Classified Land application (Parcel ID 2& 16 -r ( Z
)
Approved ; 6 Signed :
ate
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