Charlemont assessors deny conveyance tax abatement for Jonathan Mirin, waive $50 penalty fee

The Charlemont Board of Assessors on Aug. 4 unanimously denied an abatement request for a $4,491 conveyance tax submitted by Jonathan Mirin and Godelieve Richard, but voted to waive a separate $50 penalty fee.

Chair Karen Rau moved to ratify the board’s prior decision to deny the abatement; Anthony Ostroski seconded the motion and the board voted unanimously. Assessor’s Clerk Carlene Hayden told the board Mirin had submitted additional information by email describing his Bee and Blossom nature study program and had contacted the office to offer clarifications. The board reviewed the email and the program information during their deliberations.

The board said Mirin failed to timely file a required forest management plan and a Chapter 61B application after electing not to continue with forestry participation. The minutes state the board’s reasoning: Chapter 61 programs provide preferential tax treatment in return for land-management commitments and it is the landowner’s responsibility to file required documents on time; board members expressed reluctance to set a precedent that might obligate the board to grant similar abatements to others.

Hayden asked whether the board wished to waive the $50 penalty-certificate fee in addition to denying the abatement; on motion by Rau and seconded by Ostroski the board unanimously voted to deny the $4,491 abatement and to waive the $50 fee. The board signed a letter and a denial notice to the applicants explaining the decision.

The board then moved to other agenda items and later entered executive session to deliberate on pending abatement and exemption applications.