Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Abatements topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Milton Board of Abatement approves abatements for small balances, two Rita Way utility bills and fire-damaged home
Summary
At a June 22 special meeting, the Milton Board of Abatement unanimously approved four abatements: $10.15 in small-balance write-offs, two sewer/penalty abatements for properties on Rita Way totaling $1,595.34, and a $243.38 tax abatement for a house destroyed by fire May 18, 2026.
The Milton Board of Abatement voted unanimously on June 22 to approve four tax and utility abatements presented by John Gifford, the town treasurer and delinquent tax collector.
John Gifford outlined four items for the board, beginning with a housekeeping request to abate 13 accounts with combined balances of $10.15. Robin Woods-Brisson, JP, moved to approve the small-balance abatements; Kevin Endres, JP, seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
Next, Gifford summarized a sewer-related abatement request for account 226081 (22 Rita Way). He said the property owner reported leaks that have since been repaired and has entered a payment agreement for the remaining balance; the owner requested abatement of the sewer portion and associated late penalties. Kevin Endres moved to abate $445.27 (sewer portion and penalties); Denise Hughes, JP, seconded, and the board approved the motion unanimously.
The board then considered account 226080 (30 Rita Way). Gifford reported that the house is under construction, unoccupied and that photos show plumbing was not connected. A resident who identified herself as the property owner explained she bought the property with her ex, has not lived there for about two years, and had turned the water off after hearing it running around Christmas; she said she did not know how the water was turned back on before a later bill. Members discussed whether the town or the owner is responsible for turning off water service. Denise Hughes moved to abate $1,150.07 (sewer portion and penalties); Robin Woods-Brisson seconded and the motion passed unanimously.
Finally, the board reviewed an abatement request for taxes on a house destroyed by fire at 35 Hobbs Road. Gifford described his calculation of the portion of 2025–2026 taxes attributable to the house from the May 18, 2026 fire through June 30; the taxes had already been paid. Michael Morgan, JP and Selectboard member, moved to abate $243.38 for account 228024.000000 due to loss from fire; Betsy Paret, Selectboard member, seconded and the motion passed unanimously. Board members noted a minor two-cent rounding discrepancy in the materials, which staff explained.
No other business was raised. The board adjourned at 6:20 p.m. Minutes were recorded and submitted by Kristin Beers, Milton Town Clerk; meeting documents and a video recording are available at the links noted in the minutes.
The approved abatements are administrative actions that reduce small outstanding balances and provide targeted relief for specific utility and tax charges; the total abated amounts are small and appear intended to clear delinquent account balances and address losses from a recent residential fire.
