[MassHistPres] Property tax question

[Gary T. Leveille]

The Great Barrington Historical Society has been a non-profit since the late
1970s. Only July 5th we purchased our first building - a 1771 farmhouse -
threatened with immediate destruction by a developer. After extensive
fund-raising and major renovations, The Captain Truman Wheeler House will be
our future Headquarters and Museum.  In November we were told by the town
that because we purchased the property after July 1 (the town's fiscal year
date) that we would have to pay the full years' taxes (over $7,000).  We
applied for an abatement with the Board of Assessors, but they claim that
state law is clear - we must pay the taxes because we purchased the property
after July 1. They said there is no discretion in the law. Next year we will
be OK. Our new lawyer suggested that we NOT spend the money to appeal.  Does
this gel with what others have experienced?  And if so, what difference does
it make when a town's fiscal year starts?  Abatements are given when cars
are bought and sold. I don't see what difference it makes when we bought
they house.especially since we are a non-profit. Is there logic to this law
that I am not seeing?  We really had to scramble to pay this bill.and it was
upsetting to be treated this way by the town. Thank you for your thoughts.


 

Gary Leveille, Vice-President

Great Barrington Historical Society

garyleve at verizon.net