Present:
- Doug Goudey
- Tom Stokes
- Michael Blay, Town Assessor
- Tammy Toupence, secretary
- Real estate and personal property tax bills mailed this week. No abatement or exemptions allowed with this bill. If questions about or applications for abatements or exemptions, wait for 2023 bill which will be mailed this fall
- This year re-valuation will review sales and do inspections with retaking measurements. Might find Michael Bay knocking on your door if you are new homeowner — “don’t panic”
- Also, second homeowners will find a personal property valuation survey in the mail. Fill out and return. Call Assessor’s Office for answers to questions or assistance.
- Goudey asked if Blay wants cost-new or depreciated cost. Blay: either. Goudey also said this survey is a requirement of the Commonwealth — Stockbridge has to do this. Blay added: we have to get a good return or Commonwealth will ask us to re-mail. Mailed 650 and 400+ is an acceptable return. Blay stressed the importance of returning forms as our tax rate and Town’s cash flow depend upon it. Results are sent to Department of Revenue and only when DOR is satisfied is tax rate set
- Commercial, Industrial, and Rental Income and Expenses was due April 1. Need as many returned as possible to satisfy DOR
- Stokes asked do we count rentals done by nonprofits? Blay: no not required by commonwealth
- Stokes reported on Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT): added Roxanne McCaffrey and Peter Strauss to committee and would like to add more. Delaying survey until fall as right now nonprofits are gearing up for summer and recuperating from COVID. Stokes received feedback that PILOT may be perceived as adversarial but assured everyone PILOT is seeking a collaborative process for good of Town not adversary.
- Goudey called for members to move into Executive Session, and they would not return
Meeting adjourned
