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Wilbraham Board of Assessors adopts FVAC 'Average' rating, signs tax warrants and approves motor-vehicle abatements
Summary
At its May 12 meeting the Wilbraham Board of Assessors approved minutes and invoices, adopted the Farm Valuation Advisory Commission's 'Average' rating for FY2027 Chapter land values, signed a motor-vehicle tax commitment and a Solar PILOT warrant, and in executive session approved and denied multiple motor-vehicle abatements and finalized FY2026 exemption totals.
The Wilbraham Board of Assessors met on May 12, 2026, and voted unanimously to adopt the Farm Valuation Advisory Commission (FVAC) recommended "Average" rating for agricultural, horticultural and forest land values for fiscal year 2027. The board also approved minutes and signed routine invoices and tax warrants before moving into executive session, where members considered motor-vehicle abatement applications and finalized exemption totals.
John M. Wesolowski, chairman of the Wilbraham Board of Assessors, convened the meeting at 4:10 p.m. Present were assessors Lawrence G. LaBarbera and Roger J. Roberge II, Principal Assessor Christopher Keefe, Assistant Administrator Maryann Wilkinson and Administrative Assistant Emily Brochu. The board unanimously approved the open session minutes of April 7, 2026; the motion was made by Roberge and seconded by LaBarbera.
The board reviewed the FY2026 office budget and signed two invoices: Pitney Bowes for postage ($800.00) and WB Mason for supplies ($769.08). By unanimous consent the board also signed Levy 2026 Motor Vehicle Excise Tax Commitment #03 for $172,782.99 and the Fiscal Year 2026 Solar PILOT warrant for $51,084.00.
Assessor Lawrence G. LaBarbera moved that the board adopt the FVAC "Average" rating for Chapter land values for FY2027; Roger J. Roberge II seconded, and the motion passed 3–0 by roll call. The Board reviewed related correspondence and filings, including a Chapter 61B lien, an Affidavit of Continuance for Chapter 61A/61 on property at 767 Glendale Road, and correspondence regarding the Gardens of Wilbraham.
Mr. Keefe updated the board on the overlay account and noted that the Community Preservation Act (CPA) state match was approximately 16 percent. Assessor Roberge noted that a petition seeking statewide rent control was collecting signatures to appear on the November 2026 ballot and asked whether the Massachusetts Association of Assessing Officers (MAAO) was providing input to the Legislature about potential valuation impacts on rental properties.
At 4:47 p.m. the board voted unanimously to adjourn the regular session and reconvene in executive session under M.G.L. c.30A, §21(a)(3), (6) and (7) to review executive session minutes and consider motor vehicle excise abatement applications, personal exemptions, and real estate and personal property abatement applications. The board indicated it would not return to open session except to record executive session votes.
In executive session the board approved motor vehicle and trailer abatement applications as follows: 77 abatements for 2026 totaling $13,575.30; nine abatements for 2025 totaling $596.83; nine abatements for 2024 totaling $3,637.06; and six abatements for 2023 totaling $2,542.28. The board also recorded denials for a set of levy bill entries (listed in the meeting record by levy bill number) by unanimous roll call.
The board reviewed and recorded the final FY2026 exemption report. The record shows 260 exemptions with a total exempt value of $421,218.58 and CPA-exempt tax totaling $5,877.73. Categories and totals recorded in the minutes include, for example, 77 entries under 22E (veteran) totaling $158,466.00 and nine 37A (blind) exemptions totaling $4,500.00.
The board scheduled its next regular meeting for Monday, June 15, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. The meeting adjourned at 5:17 p.m., following executive session votes.
Votes at a glance
• Approval of April 7, 2026 open minutes — Motion (Roberge); second (LaBarbera); Roll call: Roberge yes, LaBarbera yes, Wesolowski yes — Approved 3–0.
• FVAC rating for FY2027 Chapter land values — Motion (LaBarbera); second (Roberge); Roll call: Roberge yes, LaBarbera yes, Wesolowski yes — Approved 3–0.
• Adjourn to executive session (M.G.L. c.30A, §21(a)(3),(6),(7)) — Motion (Roberge); second (LaBarbera); Roll call: Roberge yes, LaBarbera yes, Wesolowski yes — Approved 3–0.
• Executive session motor-vehicle/trailer abatements approved — See totals above. Denials recorded as listed in the meeting record.
(Amounts and vote tallies are taken from the Board's meeting minutes.)
