HomeMy Public PortalAbout20230831 - Board of Assessors - Executive MinutesTown of Hopkinton
Board of Assessors
Minutes of Executive Session of August 31, 2023
An Executive Session of the Regular Meeting of the Board of Assessors was held on Thursday,
August 31, 2023, to consider a specific abatement application, to review specific exemptions, and
to consider a financial hardship related matter. The Executive Session began at 6:02 pm.
The Board considered an abatement application offered by the owners of 29 Smith Road. The
Assessor’s office adjusted the assessment of the property from $892,000 to $1,355,200. The prior
adjustment was based in part on erroneous information which had underreported the total living
area. Following adjustment, the owner sought abatement based on the assessments of surrounding
properties. The Board agreed with the Assessor’s recommendation to deny the abatement
application.
The Board considered 21 applications for “circuit breaker” exemptions. Based on the Assessor’s
recommendations, the Board agreed to approve 12, deny five (5), and defer on four (4) pending
the receipt of further information.
The Board also considered five (5) CPA exemption applications. Based on the Assessor’s
recommendations, the Board agreed to approve all five. The Board considered two (2) applications
for statutory exemptions under 41(C) and approved both based on the Assessor’s
recommendations. The Board likewise considered and approved applications for statutory
exemptions as recommended by the Assessor’s office: 2 (two) 22E exemptions and 1 (one) 22C
exemption. The Board considered and denied one application for a 22a exemption based as
recommended by the Assessor’s office.
The Board considered a concern raised by Deputy Assessor Chen relative to a financial hardship
request for relief under Clause 18. Deputy Assessor Chen related demographic information
concerning the individual seeking the relief, and the reported circumstances concerning the
request. Deputy Chen related that she needs to explore whether there are guidelines to inform the
Board on how to exercise its discretion when considering the relief requested. Chairperson Ficarri
asked whether the individual may qualify for consideration by the senior tax relief committee, but
based on the demographic information shared that does not seem to be the case. Deputy Chen will
research and share information with the Board concerning its discretionary authority.
The Board will hold October 10, 2023, as the next meeting.
At 6:38 pm, on a motion made and seconded, the Board unanimously voted to adjourn the
Executive Session as planned not to return to Open Session. The vote was as follows: Lesley
Ficarri, aye; Adam Munroe, aye: Peter Mimmo, aye.
Respectfully Submitted,
Peter Mimmo, Board Member