HomeMy WebLinkAboutBOA 08/09/2023Town o, f Mansfield
RECE1vEp 6 Park Row, Man feld, of
02048
T04' CLERKS OFFICE Board of Assessors
DanaJ. St. James, Clerk
1413 SEP -1 A 87 "1
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8'�SSORS MINUTES
Wednesday, August 9, 2023 Meeting
1. At 6:55 p.m., Chairperson Greg Matoian ("Chair") opened the Town of Mansfield, MA Board of
Assessors ("BOA") meeting held in the held in the MBC Room on the third floor of the Town of
Mansfield Town Hall.
2. A roll call revealed that the following people were in attendance:
a) Greg Matoian, Chair,
b) Dana J. St. James, Clerk,
c) Ann MacCarthy, (non -voting, Chief Assessor),
d) Attorney James Sullivan, Counsel to the BOA,
e) John S. ("Jack") Killeen, guest,
f) Kara Killeen, guest, and
g) Karen M. Wright, Attorney at Law, James D. Thrasher Law Offices, representing John
and Kara Killeen.
3. The BOA opened a discussion regarding a parcel located on map 18, Parcel 075 ("Paroe1075") a
landlocked parcel which is currently not being taxed because the owner of Parcel 075 is
unknown. The following summarizes that discussion:
a) Attorney Wright made an oral presentation accompanied by written documents, attached
hereto as Attachment A, regarding Parcel 075. She outlined her title search of Parcel 075
which led her to a Transfer Certificate of Title dated November 23, 1920 showing
Briarwood, Inc., a corporation duly organized by law, having a usual place of business in
Norton was the owner of Parcel 075 (see Attachment A). This document has never been
cancelled and Attorney Wright was unable to find any subsequent documents showing
this property changed ownership to any other entity so she contends that Briarwood, Inc.
is the current owner of Parcel 075. Briarwood, Inc. is no longer incorporated in
Massachusetts and a successor to it has not been found.
b) Kara and John Killeen live at 46 Highland Avenue, Mansfield and own an investment
property at 50 Highland Ave, Mansfield. Each of these parcels abut Parcel 075. They
made an oral presentation accompanied by written document, attached hereto as
Attachment B, regarding Parcel 075. Their goal is to acquire Parcel 075 from the owner
or if the owner cannot be found, would encourage Mansfield to take the property for
unpaid taxes so that they would have the opportunity to bid on Parcel 075.
c) Prior to the meeting the Chair had done some research regarding Parcel 075, none of
which conflicted with Attorney Wright's presentation. Furthermore, the Chair knew of
the association of Roy Collins with Briarwood, Inc who passed away many years ago and
Briarwood, Inc.'s office was located on Mansfield Ave., Norton.
d) Attorney Wright believes she can find the fill address of Briarwood, Inc. and agreed to
send this information to the Chief Assessor. The BOA will review and if nothing
contradicts the assessment that Briarwood, Inc. is the owner of Parcel 075, will add this
entity to Mansfield's records as the owner. The Chair made it clear that, even if this were
to occur, the Town of Mansfield may choose not to pursue the expensive process of
taking this land in light of its low value in that it is land locked, and contains wetlands.
e) Kara Killeen, Jack Killeen and Attorney Wright left the meeting after we concluded our
discussion on Parcel 075 at 7:29 p.m.
4. The BOA reviewed and approved the minutes of the June 28, 2023 BOA meeting by unanimous
vote.
5. The BOA reviewed and approved the weekly motor vehicle abatements by unanimous vote.
6. The Chair ascertained that there was no Old Business.
7. As New Business the BOA reviewed and approved the Motor Vehicles Excise Commitment No.
4 for 2023 by unanimous vote.
8. The Chair ascertained that there were no items not anticipated by the Chair 48 hours prior to this
meeting.
9. The Clerk moved that the BOA go into Executive Session called under G.L.c 30A s21 (a)(7) to
comply with G.L.c,59 Section 60 review the minutes of the June 28, 2023 BOA Executive
Session and to Meet with James Sullivan, Counsel to the BOA to review ATB cases and to
review exemption applications received. The motion passed unanimously by roll call vote, and
the Executive Session commenced at 7:37 p.m.
10. At 8:38 p.m. the Chair closed the Executive Session after a unanimous BOA roll call vote to do
so and resumed the public meeting,
11. The BOA agreed that our next BOA meeting will be held on September 6, 2023 at 6:30 p.m.
12. The Chair moved that the BOA adjourn the meeting, the motion passed unanimously, and the
open meeting adjourned 8:39 p.m.
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Dana J. St. J me Date