Great Barrington assessors approve multiple property tax exemptions, convene executive session on abatements

The Great Barrington Board of Assessors approved multiple property tax exemptions at its Feb. 10, 2026 meeting and moved into an executive session to review abatement applications that are not public record.

Tammy Touponce, Assessor, moved to approve three veteran exemptions under Clause 22; Emily Schilling, Principal Assessor, seconded the motion and the board voted in favor (Tammy Touponce – Y; Emily Schilling – Y). One additional Clause 22 veteran exemption application was later tabled because the applicant’s mailing address is not in Massachusetts; Touponce moved to table that application and Schilling seconded, and the motion passed among the members present.

The board also approved two blind exemptions under Clause 37 after a motion by Touponce and a second from Schilling (Tammy Touponce – Y; Emily Schilling – Y). A single senior exemption under Clause 41D and one Community Preservation Act (CPA) exemption were likewise approved on motions by Touponce and seconds by Schilling, each recorded as unanimous among the members present.

Minutes from Nov. 12, 2025 and Jan. 6, 2026 were approved earlier in the meeting on motions by Touponce with seconds from Schilling. The meeting record lists Carol Strommer, Assessor, as absent for this session.

At 2:37 p.m., the board voted to convene in executive session to review and vote on abatement applications; the record states that abatement applications are not public record and notes the meeting did not return to open session. The meeting adjourned at 3:20 p.m.

The decisions grant local tax-exemption relief under the statutory clauses cited on the agenda. The board did not provide further public explanation of individual applications during open session; appeals or abatement details are recorded in executive-session records per the board’s notation.