East Longmeadow Assessors grant 20 FY26 statutory exemptions, approve several abatements and outline cyclical inspections

The East Longmeadow Board of Assessors met March 18, 2026, and approved a slate of property tax exemptions and abatements while reviewing administrative deadlines and a scheduled program of cyclical property inspections.

At the outset, Chairman Martin Grudgen called the meeting to order at 4:30 p.m. and noted the session was being recorded by ELCAT and the Assessors' office in accordance with M.G. Laws Chapter 30A, Section 20; the recording will be destroyed once the minutes are approved. Clerk Marilyn Ghedini moved to accept the minutes of the Feb. 25, 2026 meeting; Grudgen seconded and the motion passed 3-0.

Director of Assessing Keri-Ann Wenzel summarized department reports and deadlines. The Board reviewed motor vehicle excise abatement activity for February totaling $13,797.12, a revised FY26 real-estate exemption total for January of $44,329.23 (CPA share $404.43), and a FY26 personal property abatement total for February of $1,066.71. Wenzel said FY27 Income and Expense forms were mailed to commercial and industrial property owners on March 13 and are due May 15; she warned that failure to return the forms may result in a penalty. The Form of List and 3ABC filing deadline was March 3, with extensions available by request. Wenzel also said the town received the 2026 second motor-vehicle excise commitment and that, historically, bills are mailed in early April.

Wenzel explained the town’s cyclical inspection program and schedule: property owners have been notified by letter, inspections are mandated by the state to review all properties on a 10-year cycle, a contractor (Bishop & Associates) will conduct inspections with town-issued ID and marked vehicles, and the Police Department will be notified when inspections begin; Bishop & Associates estimated inspections will start at the end of April or beginning of May. Resident Ken Michaud asked questions about the inspection process; Chairman Grudgen replied inspectors will knock and perform an exterior inspection if no one is home, or allow an interior inspection by invitation, and Assessor Hayden Smith said inspectors verify the property record card data.

On votes, the Board entered executive session at 4:50 p.m. to review excise and exemption applications and returned to open session at 5:53 p.m. On the motor-vehicle and boat excise items the Board recorded two decisions: a 2023 motor-vehicle excise application for Bill #6504 (HONDA LEASE TRUST) was denied; a 2026 boat excise application for Bill #176 (SARACINO) was granted. The motion to consider those excise items was made by Chairman Grudgen and seconded by Clerk Ghedini and recorded as passed 2-0.

The Board considered FY26 real-estate statutory exemption applications and voted to grant the list of exemptions presented (items numbered 1–20 on the record). Exemption clauses applied in these approvals included Clause 22, Clause 22E, Clause 41C and Clause 37A; examples listed in the record that were granted include 48 Millbrook Drive (Exemption Clause 22) and 249 Elm Street (Exemption Clause 37A). The motion to consider and grant the exemptions was made by Chairman Grudgen, seconded by Clerk Ghedini, and passed 3-0.

The Board also acted on Chapter 59 real-estate abatement applications with mixed outcomes. Noted results in the record include granted abatements for 17 Melwood Ave and 118 Parker St, and a denied abatement for 431 North Main St; the transcript lists other abatements granted or denied as recorded by parcel.

The Board announced its next regular meeting for Wednesday, April 22, 2026, at 4:30 p.m., and adjourned at 5:53 p.m. (motion by Chairman Grudgen; second by Clerk Ghedini; passed 3-0).