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Select Board declines to forgive timber-damage penalty for Spanos; owner told to pursue tax appeal
Summary
The Select Board reviewed an appeal from Spanos seeking forgiveness of a timber-damage penalty tied to a late or incomplete report of cut and declined to grant forgiveness, noting precedent and legal caution; the owner was advised to pursue a formal tax-appeal process.
The Select Board on July 15, 2025 reviewed an appeal by a property owner, identified in the meeting as Spanos, seeking forgiveness of a timber-damage penalty assessed after a report of cut was submitted late and without required property-owner signatures.
Staff recounted that the report of cut was due May 15, arrived late in June, and initially lacked property-owner signatures; the town then assessed the statutory damage (a penalty). Staff said the property owner told the forester they would pay the tax and had asked the forester to assume responsibility for the penalty, but the board explained the municipality has rarely forgiven such penalties in the past.
A town representative told the board that while the state law allows forgiveness in cases of accident or mistake, prior practice has been to decline forgiveness except in narrowly defined circumstances to avoid setting a precedent. A board member recommended denying the appeal and said the owner may take the matter to the appropriate tax-appeal forum if they choose.
The board recorded a motion consistent with denying the request to forgive the timber-damage penalty and noted the owner can pursue a formal tax appeal to seek review outside the board.
