Charlemont assessors approve October abatements, enter executive session on abatement deliberations

Karen Rau, Chair of the Charlemont Board of Assessors, called the meeting to order at 6:38 p.m. and led the board in a vote to approve and sign the monthly list of real and personal property tax abatements for October 2025. The motion to approve was made by Rau and seconded by Anthony Ostroski; the board voted unanimously to adopt the list.

The approval was procedural and handled on a single motion; no dissent was recorded. Later in the meeting, at 7:00 p.m., Rau moved and Ostroski seconded a motion to adjourn the public meeting and enter executive session to deliberate on pending abatement and exemption applications "to comply with, or act under the authority of, any general or special law or federal grant-in-aid requirements," citing G.L. Chapter 59, Section 60. The board voted by roll call: Rau—Yes, Ostroski—Yes, Santos—Yes. The board stated it would not reconvene in open session afterwards.

Why it matters: approving abatement lists finalizes administrative relief to property owners for the prior month and executive-session deliberations begin the formal, confidential review process for pending applications. The board noted the next public meeting will be the tax rate hearing once the Select Board sets a date.

The meeting record shows routine administrative business alongside confidential deliberations that the board handled in executive session under state statute.