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New Bedford, MA 02740

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Carver Town Meeting Approves 4 New Solar PILOT Agreements

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Recently the Town of Carver Town Meeting approved the execution of four (4) new Solar PILOT Agreements.  We’d like to thank Mark Townsend and the Carver Select Board, Ellen Blanchard and the Carver Board of Assessors, and Town Administrator Bob Fennessy for the opportunity to provide legal services during the negotiation of these newly executed Solar PILOT Agreements. We’d also like to thank Town Assessor, Joe Roche, for his cooperation and collaboration during the negotiations.

The Solar PILOT Agreements were executed pursuant to the post Climate Act provisions of General Laws Chapter 59, Section 5, Clause 45th.

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Matt Presents at MAAO 2023 Spring Conference at the Babson Executive Conference Center.

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On Thursday, April 20, 2023, Matt presented an updated version “Don’t Drop the Baton – Successfully Collecting Real Estate Taxes Takes a Team Effort” to members of the Massachusetts Association of Assessing Officers attending the 2023 MAAO Spring Conference in person at the Babson Executive Conference Center and virtually through Zoom.  Using the analogy of a relay race, Matt reviewed the respective roles that the Assessor’s Office, Collector’s Office, and Treasurer’s Office play in the successful collection of real estate taxes, and the importance of cleanly handing off “the baton” in each leg of the race. Matt then reviewed the various bills seeking to amend the Tax Title Collection Process pending before the Massachusetts General Court.

Matt would like to thank all of the attendees for their participation during the presentation, and for their excellent questions.  Special thanks as well to MAAO President Ellen Brideau.  Special thanks also to Joanne Foley, Trish O’Kane, and Molly Reed of the MAAO Education Committee, and MAAO Interim Executive Co-Director Kathy Costello.

For a copy of the presentation please follow the link – Don’t Drop the Baton – MAAO Spring Conference 230419 or visit the “Resources” section of our website.

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Happy Holidays 2022

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As we come to the end of the year, we’d like to wish everyone a very Happy Holiday and we hope you all have a Healthy & Prosperous New Year.

We’d like to thank our established clients for giving us the continued opportunity to provide legal services during this past year. We’d also like to thank our new clients for giving us the new opportunity to provide legal services.

Our office will be closed from Thursday, December 22, 2022 through Tuesday, January 3, 2023.

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Matt Presents at Bristol County Assessors Association 2022 Annual Meeting

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On Thursday, December 1, 2022, Matt presented the 2022 Version of “A Holiday Bagful of Goodies – A Year End Topical Review” to members of the Bristol County Assessors Association at their Annual Meeting held Whites of Westport. During the presentation, Matt discussed the DOR Local Finance Opinion that clarified and explained the process to determine whether real estate owned in trust is subject to a personal exemption. Matt also reviewed the changes to Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 61A regarding “Dual Use” Solar Facilities located on agricultural property, and the recent changes to deadlines for filing annual applications pursuant Massachusetts General Laws Chapters 61, 61A, & 61B. Finally, Matt provided an update on the ongoing Eversource ATB Matters and Eversource’s ongoing challenges regarding the assessment of its Class 504 personal property.

Matt would like to thank all of the attendees for their hospitality. Special thanks as well to Outgoing BCAA President Lydia Cordeiro, the BCAA Officers, and the BCAA Executive Board.

For a copy of “A Holiday Bagful of Goodies – A Year End Topical Review” please visit the “Resources” section of our website or at the following link:  The Holiday Bagful of Goodies – 2022 221201

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Happy Thanksgiving 2022!

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We’d like to thank all of our clients for giving us the opportunity to provide legal services to them during the past year, and for their cooperation and collaboration.

We’d also like to wish you and yours a very Happy Thanksgiving.

Our office will be closed on Thursday, November 24, 2022 and Friday, November 25, 2022.

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Matt’s Article Regarding New “Dual Use” Solar Law Appears in MAAO Newsletter

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Matt’s article, entitled “New Dual Use Solar Law Casts Quite a Bit of Shade” was published in the Fall 2002 issue of the MAAO Newsletter. Matt would like to thank Ellen Brideau, MAAO President, Bill Mitchell, MAAO Secretary, and Mike Flynn, MAAO Executive Director, for the opportunity to submit to MAAO Newsletter.

The link for the Fall 2022 Issue of the MAAO Newsletter is: maao.newsletter.fall2022.pdf (ymaws.com)

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Veterans Day 2022

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Our Office will be closed today in observance of Veterans Day. Although Veterans Day was originally conceived as an opportunity to remember the Armistice that ended World War I at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, it has become an opportunity to remember and honor the sacrifice of all Veterans who have served our country. We honor their patriotism, love of country and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good.

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Matt Presents at MAAO 2022 Annual School at UMass-Amherst

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On Monday, August 1, 2022, Matt presented “What’s the Buzz? Blending Net Book Value with RCNLD in the Assessment of Class 504 Utilities” to Members of the Massachusetts Association of Assessing Officers attending the Specialty Seminars at their 2022 Annual School at UMass-Amherst.  During the presentation, Matt reviewed the basics of assessing personal property, the concepts of Net Book Value and Replacement Cost New Less Depreciation, the history of the DPU Carry Over Rate Principle, the effect of Chapter 164 of the Acts of 1997, the various relevant case law, the concepts of “Binding Precedent” and “Persuasive Precedent”, the decision of the Supreme Judicial Court that special circumstances now exist as a result of the DPU’s regulatory change, and  the DOR’s response. Matt then led the participants in a discussion regarding current conditions and possible responses.

Matt would like to thank all of the attendees for their participation during the presentation, and for their excellent questions. He’d also like to thank those who attended and participated in the impromptu “Let’s Chat With Matt” session.  Special thanks as well to MAAO President Ellen Brideau.  Special thanks also to Joanne Foley & Trish O’Kane, Co-Chairs of the MAAO Education Committee, and MAAO Executive Director, Mike Flynn.

For a copy of the presentation please follow the link – What’s the Buzz – Blending Net Book Value With RCNLD in the Assessment of Class 504 Utilities 220801 or visit the “Resources” section of our website.

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Happy 4th of July!

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In a letter to Abigail Adams, written just after the Continental Congress had voted for independence (which it did on July 2nd), John Adams wrote:

“I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated, by succeeding Generations, as the great anniversary Festival. It ought to be commemorated, as the Day of Deliverance by solemn Acts of Devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more.”

We wish you and yours a Happy and Safe 4th of July!

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Matt Presents at 2022 MAAO Summer Conference

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On Wednesday, June 22, 2022, Matt presented “TIFs, TIEs, and Solar PILOTs – Getting Out of the Blocks Cleanly” to over 100 Members of the Massachusetts Association of Assessing Officers at their 2022 Summer Conference in Plymouth, MA.  During the presentation, Matt reviewed strategies and best practices to facilitate accurate implementation of Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Agreements, Tax Increment Exemption (TIE) Agreements, and Solar PILOTs.  Matt also reviewed specific examples of the exemptions during the 1st year of TIF & TIE Agreements.  at the end of the presentation Matt discussed the steps required for municipalities to negotiate Payment in Lieu of Tax (PILOT) Agreements under General Laws Chapter 59, Section 5, Clause 45th, as amended by the Climate Act.

Matt would like to thank all of the attendees for their participation during the presentation, and for their excellent questions. Special thanks as well to outgoing MAAO President Missy Couture Rimbold, incoming MAAO President Ellen Brideau. Special thanks also to Joanne Foley & Trish O’Kane, Co-Chairs of the MAAO Education Committee, and MAAO Executive Director, Mike Flynn.

For a copy of the presentation please follow the link – TIFs, TIEs & Solar PILOTs- Getting Out of the Blocks Cleanly 220622-1 or visit the “Resources” section of our website.

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