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Mansfield Board of Assessors approves four property abatements, will release open-meeting minutes on request
Summary
At its March 11 meeting the Mansfield Board of Assessors unanimously approved four property abatement applications — including one presented in open session for 20 Newton Street — and agreed to provide copies of open-meeting minutes after a public records request while keeping executive-session minutes confidential pending review.
The Mansfield Board of Assessors unanimously approved four property abatement applications and agreed to release open-meeting minutes in response to a public records request at its March 11, 2026 meeting at Mansfield Town Hall.
Chairperson Greg Matoian opened the meeting at 12:07 p.m. and, after routine items, heard an unanticipated presentation from guest Steven W. Schoonveld on behalf of the 20 Newton Street Trust. The board received Schoonveld’s written presentation (entered as Exhibit 1) during the open session; Schoonveld left after presenting his case. The board later approved the Schoonveld application following review in executive session.
The board also reviewed an email from Patrick Higgins requesting PDF copies of all Board of Assessors open-meeting and executive-session minutes for 2023–2026 under the Open Meeting Law. The board instructed Chief Assessor Ann MacCarthy to provide the requested open-meeting minutes “as soon as practicable” and said that executive-session minutes for the period are currently deemed confidential; the board committed to periodic review under the Open Meeting Law to determine whether any executive-session minutes can be released.
After entering executive session under G.L. c. 30A, s. 21(a)(7) and G.L. c. 59, s. 60 to review abatement applications, the board returned to open session at 3:20 p.m. and recorded unanimous approvals of four applications. The approvals were recorded in open session by roll call vote.
Votes at a glance
• Approve abatement application by Steven W. Schoonveld (for 20 Newton Street Trust) — approved unanimously (Board roll call: Greg Matoian, Dana J. St. James, Vijay Popat recorded as voting yes). Provenance: presentation in open session and final approval following executive session (topicintro: SEG 001; topfinish: SEG 002).
• Approve abatement application by Lisa Murphy for Mansfield Skincare Spa LLC (personal property) at 12 Pratt Street, Suite 102 — approved unanimously (same roll call). Provenance: SEG 002.
• Approve abatement application by Wayne M. and Bethann Upham for 11 Freedom Trail — approved unanimously (same roll call). Provenance: SEG 002.
• Approve abatement application by Thomas G. & Lois McGinnes for 6 Surrey Drive — approved unanimously (same roll call). Provenance: SEG 002.
The board set its next regular meeting for April 8, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. and adjourned at 3:25 p.m.
Background and process notes: The board handled routine motor vehicle abatements and approved prior meeting minutes earlier in the session. Executive session was used to examine details of real estate and personal-property abatement filings in accordance with the cited statutory authority; the board’s statement that executive-session minutes remain confidential reflects its present determination that those records still meet the criteria for non-disclosure, subject to future review under the Open Meeting Law.
