Town of Franklin

Tax Abatement Meeting

December 16, 2020    

 

Present:  Lisa Larivee, Yvon Dandurand, Sara Rainville, Peter Magnant, Brooks Sturtevant, Jean Richard, Kim Gates Maynard, Robert Irish, Dave Bennion

 

Guests:  Johanna Godin, Delinquent Tax Collector

 

Lisa Larivee, called the meeting to order at 6:34 pm, pledge of allegiance was said. 

Lisa asked for nominations for chair; Jean R/Kim Gates made a motion to appoint Lisa Larivee as chair.  No other nominations. all members voted in favor; motion passed.

 

Lisa asked Johanna to present the properties of Millpond Campground. 

·       Tim Desmaris, parcel #949, had a camper on a lot in 2016 and then left the campsite after that.  The delinquent balance from 2016 is $41.07.  Jean R/Brooks S made a motion to abate the amount of $41.07 for the principal of taxes owed, the interest and penalty will be eliminated.  All members voted in favor; motion passed.

·       Allan Donaldson, parcel #938, had a camper on a lot in 2015 and did not pay the Millpond Campground rental fee, was not invited to return the following year.  Did not return in 2016 but the camper was left abandoned and trashed.  It was demolished by the Millpond Campground owners.    The delinquent balance from 2016 is $58.91.  Jean R/Brooks S made a motion to abate the amount of $58.91 for the principal of taxes owed, the interest and penalty will be eliminated.  All members voted in favor; motion passed.

·       Jay Laurie, parcel #969, had a camper at Millpond Campground.  The taxes are delinquent from 2016-2020 in the total principal amount of $395.96.  Lisa spoke with Laura Capsey, Millpond owner, and she advised the property has been abandoned after the death of his wife in April 2017 and she had taken possession of the camper as abandoned property for last three years.  The camper is trashed and will be demolished.  Kim G/Sara R made a motion to abate the amount of $395.96 for the principal of taxes owed, the interest and penalty will be eliminated. 

  

Lisa presented the abatement request of Helen Dever, parcel #560.  The principal amount was paid in full, but was not received until Oct 20th in the town office; therefore, it was delinquent.   Ms.  Dever stated she mailed the payment on Saturday, Oct 10th from Baltimore, MD.  Monday the 12th was a holiday and the postmark on the envelope was stamped Oct 13th from Baltimore.  Johanna not in favor of the waiver as it will set precedence.  Jean stated we do not accept postmarks and Sara advised it is clearly stated on the bill.  Ms. Dever advised it took 7 days for her to get the delinquent notice.  Lisa advised the statute in the Board of Civil Authority (BCA) handbook clearly states the board can not abate interest and penalty only.  Jean R/Sara R stated according to the BCA handbook the request is not eligible under the criteria to abate and therefore denied, 9-0.

 

Lisa discussed the Pilon property, parcel #649, related to the fire in June 2019.  Jean advised if the property owner rebuilds within the same tax year they are not eligible for abatement.  They had not requested abatement.

 

Jean R/Sara R move to adjourn at 6:58 pm.  All voted in favor to adjourn meeting.

 

Submitted by

Lisa Larivee, Chair

December 21, 2020