===OCR macOS Vision===
===PAGE 1===
KH
TOWN OF LUNENBURG
BOARD OF ASSESSORS
P.O. BOX 135
LUNENBURG, MA. 01462
RECEIVED & FILED
JAN 09 2013
LUNENBURG TOWN
CLERK OFFICE
Minutes from the Board of Assessors meeting held: November 13, 2012
The meeting opened at 6:10 pm.
Present: Board Members, Louis J. Franco, Matthew J. Papini, Sr., Regional Assessor Harald Scheid and
Louise Paquette, Administrative Assistant. Not present: Chris Comeau, Chairman
Board reviewed and approved abatements, expense vouchers, commitments, warrants, and minutes from
the meeting held on October 2, 2012.
Louise presented approx. 30 statutory exemption applications. The Board reviewed and approved all
applications totaling $18,686.00. Louise reported that the Tax Work Off program tally at this time was not
complete; Board will review the totals submitted at the next meeting
Louise reported that a FINAL Chapter letter was sent on October 4, 2012 as directed by the BOA to
approximately (10) ten chapter land owners who failed to return their FY14 applications. The letter stated
that the BOA was allowing applications to be returned no later than October 18, 2012. Louise stated that
a couple of applications were returned later and one applicant, Padula / Lunenburg, LLC notified the
office that he no longer wishes to be classified in Chapter 61A. (Property located at 137 Leominster-
Shirley Rd., and 1501 Rear Lancaster Avenue). Harald explained to the Board that he has been
conferring with the property owner and with the Town Manager regarding the Town's Right of First
Refusal and the roll-back tax figure.
The BOA reviewed and granted 67 chapter applications and tabled
the remaining 6 applications for further review.
Harald spoke with the Board regarding the Classification Hearing which will be held tonight at 7:15 with
the BOS. Louise stated that the hearing notification was published in the Lunenburg Ledger on
November 2, 2012. Harald explained that his recommendation is to maintain the single tax rate for both
residential and commercial properties. He explained that the commercial and industrial base is so small
that we would have to drastically increase these numbers to see a decrease in residential. He noted that
the commercial and industrial base represents about 10 percent of the town's overall assessment; that it
would mean increasing the commercial base 10 percent to see a 1 percent reduction in residential
properties. Harald reported that there has been little movement in sales this past year and feels we may
have reached the bottom of the market, thus any further reduction of valuation would not be indicated.
He stated that potentially the tax rate will be $17.30 per thousand and the average assessed home has a
value of $247,800.00. He does not anticipate a "flood" of abatement applications.
Harald reported that the Applelate Tax Board has informed us of their decision regarding the 2009 PP
abatement appeal received from Verizon New England Inc.; case was settled in favor of the applicant.
Harald spoke of the letter received by Chu, Ring & Hazel LLP (Verizon's Attorneys), and stated that he
will be addressing the abatement settlement with the Town Manager and the Accountant. He reported
that the payment presently stands at the amount of $44,154.74 and is accruing interest at 8 percent from
May 1, 2009. Harald explained that there are no other appeals pending. Louise reported on the balance
of the Overlay accounts and the Board reviewed and approved to release the following overlay surpluses
which will deplete balances of all FY overlay accounts:
FY 2010: $14,860.27 FY 2011: $4,385.99 FY 2012: $29,226.73
===PAGE 2===
Louise presented the 2013 Tax Map Maintenance Contract received on from Cartographic Associates,
Inc. The Board voted to table the signing of the contract at this time due to an omission in the scope of
services. Louise will contact them for clarification.
The Board voted to meet on Tuesday, December 4, 2012 at 6:00pm. Meeting adjourned at 7:05 pm.
Respectfully Submitted,
Laure
Louise Paquette
Paguette
Administrative Assistant
To the Board of Assessors
RECEIVED & FILED
JAN 09 2013
LUNEVBURG TOWN
CLERK OFFICE