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Great Barrington Board of Assessors holds executive session to review abatement applications, does not return to open meeting
Summary
The Board of Assessors convened an executive session at 2:06 p.m. April 29 to consider property valuation and abatement applications (which it cited as confidential under state law); the board voted unanimously in executive session and adjourned at 2:42 p.m. No details of individual abatement applications were released.
The Great Barrington Board of Assessors convened an executive session at 2:06 p.m. Wednesday to discuss property valuation and abatement applications and did not return to open session, according to the board’s minutes.
The board recorded a roll call that showed Emily Schilling, the principal assessor, and Carol Strommer, an assessor, present; Tammy Touponce was listed as absent. At 2:06 p.m. Carol Strommer moved to enter executive session “for the purpose of discussing properties pertaining to value and reviewing, voting on abatement applications.” Emily Schilling seconded the motion; the minutes state the members present voted unanimously and that the board would not return to open session.
The minutes cite state law as the legal basis for confidentiality, referencing M.G.L. Chapter 30A, Section 21 and Chapter 59, Section 60, and explicitly note that abatement applications are not public records. Because the board met in executive session under those statutes, the minutes do not disclose the substance of individual abatement applications or any votes on particular filings.
The session concluded with a motion to adjourn at 2:42 p.m.; that motion was made by Carol Strommer, seconded by Emily Schilling, and the minutes record a unanimous vote by the members present. The document does not indicate any further action in open session or provide public details about the matters discussed in executive session.
The meeting took place at Great Barrington Town Hall, 334 Main Street. The assessors’ office contact listed in the minutes is Assessors@townofgbma.gov and telephone (413) 528-1619. The minutes do not specify next public steps or any schedule for public updates on the confidential abatement matters.
