[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":44,"_46":47,"_48":49,"_50":51,"_52":53,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":59,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":65,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6313125,"mediaKeyId","2389006-b8fb0a3a170959d1064f6f8e9e70ff5d","parentId",2389006,"title","Assessors move to accept prior meeting minutes; formal vote not recorded in transcript","audioSeconds",0,"startMs",706000,"endMs","viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2389006-b8fb0a3a170959d1064f6f8e9e70ff5d&start=706&end=706","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2389006-b8fb0a3a170959d1064f6f8e9e70ff5d/thumbnail_706000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6313125/Massachusetts/Assessors-move-to-accept-prior-meeting-minutes-formal-vote-not-recorded-in-transcript","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6313125-4133891418b242f20c110f90d1e00e05/orig.mp4?Expires=1770505755&Signature=EHnqgQorf-7wXfKNTfo4kNmCXJS63fKYe37GOH7cw-KE45q36w1G-86IbOzus6ToYMchwhqueJnR8BfjvoHJ193hoojYvqAOmQhNd7p~4Zfcb5PirpfsD0rgbu~Kln93ceWfEBb4QSM1ZnBmoK9bXK7~qzkkJ0yaxXsP0Aho1ADc7mTCnYc2AlzQ2AV8pUSOXrWtT1ZexKuJVKDnYer2J5JhbbECEtXwjB70wNFkvPXOFKGH8rHI5O6NSKpiM1VzSQ2mUeFi-TSLn3ess5RtEC4oiUnwOQv3M8Qrb66w8ZOcgXaIvJNkKHK7p9PsZENyr1watAASx~2h4jbeetrTjA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Town of Hubbardston, MA","date","2025-02-25T00:00:00Z","article","During routine business, a board member moved to accept several sets of prior meeting minutes, citing the minutes from Dec. 18, 2024; Jan. 15, 2025; and July 20, 2023.

Why it matters: Acceptance of minutes is a standard procedural action that establishes the official record of prior meetings.

A board member stated, \"I make a motion that we accept all the aforementioned previous meeting minutes, 12/18/2024, January fifteenth 2025, and July 20, 2023.\" The transcript records expressions of assent from other members (“They seem to reflect pretty much what I recall the meetings were”), but it does not record the name of a seconder or a roll-call vote tally. At the meeting's close members voted to adjourn with an audible \"Aye.\" The transcript does not explicitly show a recorded vote specifically tied to the minutes motion.

The minutes motion and related procedural items will remain part of the record; the transcript indicates the board intended to accept the minutes pending standard procedural confirmation, but the audio record does not capture a formal, named vote on that motion.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Town of Hubbardston: Board Of Assessors 02.19.25","oneSentenceSummary","A motion was made to accept several sets of prior minutes (including Dec. 18, 2024; Jan. 15, 2025; and July 20, 2023). The transcript records the motion but does not include a recorded second or a roll-call tally for that motion.","taxTitle","Town of Hubbardston, Worcester County, Massachusetts","taxId",61645,"location","Massachusetts","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_46":81,"_48":82,"_50":83,"_52":84,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":85,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":86,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6313130,"Assessors sign off on abatements, lien paperwork; staff flags several administrative adjustments",815,2361000,3176000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2389006-b8fb0a3a170959d1064f6f8e9e70ff5d&start=2361&end=3176","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2389006-b8fb0a3a170959d1064f6f8e9e70ff5d/thumbnail_2361000.jpg","/articles/6313130/Massachusetts/Assessors-sign-off-on-abatements-lien-paperwork-staff-flags-several-administrative-adjustments","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6313130-e6655e30ea50baeb53708b4acbe04636/orig.mp4?Expires=1770505755&Signature=P3qC77AIFC3Kd4Gn1TwjLcRL92h3F6xIyc-W5Fss4MRpsGXCEq1fSNYbD~tvukOXAIbnzTDDO-xxmzM9-Ftw-zj-FTPf8K0SzuJyp9E689tQYk0BMysxCLFrcooHloifSEaKHwJVYkY24VOHuEFaI~YWGYY-FV2y1qZUD5pclOz9HiNYyyTaqA~527FE-DR4AXyEjrx3h9qSV6WTtWRVXWnVMBiOLmM1-5obZmebnaNd-1vSXL8sgIPMlUk782englQWJ6G0rIxcdTp-j2vO-tKEaxGSynLELR1CsaX45TO5mm3nqQ4~nHs4xLlqvE90NYmO8TLgocoYDN073nC9KA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At the meeting, the Board of Assessors reviewed documents related to personal-property abatements, motor-vehicle excise abatements, and lien updates. Staff presented paperwork and asked board members to sign warrants and commitment pages.

Why it matters: Abatements and lien adjustments change tax bills for individual taxpayers and update the town's collectible tax rolls.

Assessor staff described 17 abatement applications received this year, characterizing five as primarily administrative adjustments (for example, correcting calculations for a Habitat for Humanity house). Staff said they had contacted multiple state offices to determine how to calculate the tax for Habitat properties and described the program as deed-restricted with a formula that limits the owner's resale profit and keeps the property available to income-qualified buyers. The assessor said one Habitat parcel will receive an adjustment after review and that other abatements were routine administrative corrections.

The board also addressed motor-vehicle excise abatements and a set of personal-property abatements labeled \"uncollectible\"; staff presented the related warrant and commitment paperwork for signatures.

On lien business, staff presented lien releases and new lien documents associated with trusts and property transfers. Specific items included a lien release for John Mackey (land transferred to a trust) and new lien paperwork for multiple trusts; staff asked members to sign the front pages for the files.

Staff said rooftop-solar abatement paperwork was withdrawn in at least one case after the filer realized they were not the homeowner. The assessor also noted administrative map adjustments at Sportsman's Pond that altered an acreage figure for one taxpayer.

Board members asked to be notified about upcoming inspections and abatements; staff agreed to email commissioners when inspections are scheduled. The transcript records no formal roll-call votes for the abatements or lien paperwork; staff presented documents and asked for signatures during the meeting.","Assessors reviewed personal-property and motor-vehicle abatements, discussed Habitat home tax treatment, and signed lien releases and new liens; staff said most abatements were administrative and adjustments will appear in later reports.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_46":93,"_48":94,"_50":95,"_52":96,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":97,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":98,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6313135,"Hubbardston assessors review Chapter 61 land applications, flag consistency and posting questions",1300,736000,2036000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2389006-b8fb0a3a170959d1064f6f8e9e70ff5d&start=736&end=2036","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2389006-b8fb0a3a170959d1064f6f8e9e70ff5d/thumbnail_736000.jpg","/articles/6313135/Massachusetts/Hubbardston-assessors-review-Chapter-61-land-applications-flag-consistency-and-posting-questions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6313135-73a3c5c699621791368aa69f3db8e861/orig.mp4?Expires=1770505755&Signature=OXBybfYy7Jn6o9Qn4g7poaM-Ac0AxvnvdHt1uqzGZLhry8FTWdAukiMwnW9JpHk~sxqiVJaYjPf5H3MKmxCDy3TueCcwGlwdXbXD~yAxq0Uht42tbb0T5yJMSgKVG6vpw~4tpZYA1ShAJDYdIROG3ob~0JO2NZHG0JCRPb7d-vEx2BYittEacGHTqX0suTtt71wrrp3xXiRXbB09V1Y~wSmoWY2roNTLmFMEF74OuZpAaOu9JO6ATFKgAXMeHITkCZOc0egcZQXjrfKlYKCyKsKdDZE5xjUCTym~0A6JhsydJU6EZy5rQdtn51vbGdK099TeLh0BThZEPqsajw9zJg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Board of Assessors in the Town of Hubbardston spent the bulk of the meeting reviewing Chapter 61 applications and discussing how the town has applied program rules in recent years.

Board members and staff reviewed multiple 61A (agricultural), 61B (open-space/recreation) and 61 (forestry) applications and flagged several recurring policy questions: whether the town should continue the practice of subtracting a residential \"zoning lot\" from enrolled acreage, how the board should treat applications that report more than 50% nonproductive land, and when posting of Chapter 61B parcels limits public access.

Why it matters: Chapter 61 classifications affect tax assessments and public access rights. Changes in local practice can alter tax burdens and recreational access for neighbors and hunters, and can affect whether large parcels qualify for preferential tax treatment.

Staff began the section by presenting a batch of applications and repeatedly told the board, \"Everything looks good, and I am confident in accepting granting all of it,\" when recommending approval of straightforward filings, including an application from the Pinecrest Property Association related to its clubhouse. (Staff presentation excerpted in meeting materials.)

Marina Keating, a chapter-land specialist who supplied a written recommendation for one applicant, advised the board on a more complicated application from Matthew Ordolino. Keating's letter, read aloud by staff, said the program \"requires a minimum of 5 acres that has been in agricultural use for at least 2 years before applying\" and noted that \"landowner needs to exclude their residence, other structures, and any land occupied by a dwelling or regularly used for family living.\" Keating recommended approving Ordolino for the upcoming fiscal year provided he either obtains a forest management plan for wooded acreage by next December or applies for a different chapter program, since more than half of his enrolled acreage appeared nonproductive in GIS review.

Board members debated how strictly to apply an apparent past local practice of deducting a zoning lot (commonly about 1.8 acres in town examples) from applicants' enrolled acreage. One assessor said the town had been removing a zoning-lot area from enrollment calculations \"for 10 years,\" but the board noted it had not found a written policy in the town archive and agreed consistency—and documentation—would be useful going forward.

Members also raised public-access questions tied to Chapter 61B classifications. Resident Mike Stahl (5 Lombard Road) quoted the program guidance during discussion and said the booklet indicated different posting rules depending on the subcategory: \"Chapter 61A, agriculture, posting allowed. Chapter 61B open space and recreation ... posting allowed under the recreation category for organizations with paying members.\" Stahl and others noted that some Pinecrest parcels are in the recreation category and could be posted while retaining tax benefits, and that public understanding of who may legally enter enrolled lands varies among hunters and neighbors.

The board discussed evidence collected for specific parcels. In a separate exchange about a property listed near Gardner Road (addresses referenced as 68/69), a staff member said a recent company flyover showed no buildings on the lot \"as of this past spring,\" and the board asked staff to provide a dated printout of that aerial imagery at the next meeting. The board agreed it would also arrange occasional drive-by inspections to better respond to resident questions about particular parcels.

Board members repeatedly emphasized caution in changing long-standing practice without a documented policy. One member said the town's handling of small parcels under 61A/61B is an \"assessor option\" and recommended the board consider formalizing the approach in writing.

The assessors did not record formal votes on individual Chapter 61 applications in the transcript. Staff recommended approvals for many routine applications; several applications with shortfalls (for example, applicants reporting slightly less income than the handbook threshold) were discussed with a suggestion to approve this year and require full compliance next year or to notify applicants before the next mailing.

Looking ahead, the board asked staff to: provide copies of the flyover photos for the Gardner Road parcel, draft clearer written guidance on zoning-lot deductions for Chapter 61 applications, and ensure application mailings next year clearly state the per-acre income thresholds and the $5-per-acre figure that applies beyond the first five acres for 61A applicants.

The discussion combined routine approvals, case-by-case recommendations, and a broader policy review the board said it will continue in a future meeting.","The Board of Assessors reviewed dozens of Chapter 61 (chapterland) applications and discussed inconsistent past practice about subtracting the residential \"zoning lot,\" forest management plan requirements, posting rules for Chapter 61B parcels and a request for aerial images of a disputed property on Gardner Road.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Assessors move to accept prior meeting minutes; formal vote not recorded in transcript

Assessors sign off on abatements, lien paperwork; staff flags several administrative adjustments

Hubbardston assessors review Chapter 61 land applications, flag consistency and posting questions