Archive

As we normally do on the 4th of July, we’d like to quote the words of John Adams written in a letter to Abigail Adams, just after the Continental Congress had voted for independence (which it did on July 2nd):

“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!

Our Office will be closed from July 3, 2025 through July 11, 2025.

Our Office will be closed on Monday, May 26, 2025 in observance of Memorial Day. Memorial Day was originally intended to honor the Union Soldiers who died during the Civil War. Over the years it has grown to be a day to honor all those who died in any way or military action. Please take a moment this weekend to remember and honor the sacrifice of those who gave their life in defense of our country.

On May 15, 2025, Matt presented a workshop on the basics and best practices of personal property taxation of solar facilities located on agricultural properties and municipally owned properties to members of the Bristol County Assessors Association at the Old Dighton Town Hall. Matt would like to thank BCAA President Richard Conti, and all the members for their kindness and hospitality.

On April 9, 2025 Matt presented ” Local Incentive TIFs – Municipalities Take the Wheel” at the MAAO Spring Conference at Lake Pearl, Wrentham, MA. During the presentation Matt discussed the changes to Massachusetts’ Tax Increment Financing Law brought about by the passage of the Economic Development Law (Chapter 238 of the Acts of 2024) in November, 2024. Matt’s comments concentrated on best practices municipalities could implement now that the approval of the Commonwealth’s EACC is no longer required for Local Incentive Only TIF Agreements.

Matt would like to thank MAAO President Ashlie Brown, MAAO Education Committee Co-Chairs Jessica Guerra & Missy Couture Rimbold, and MAAO Executive Director Kathleen Costello, as well as the over 90 MAAO Members who attended, for their kindness and hospitality.

For a copy of Matt’s Presentation please follow the link: Local Incentive Only TIFs – Municipalities Take the Wheel 250409.

We apologize for any inconvenience you may have temporarily experienced trying to access our website during the past three weeks as we performed some website maintenance and upgrades. We’d like to thank The Franchise Group for their great work assisting us in this process.  Our upgrades are now complete.

Matt would like to thank Asst. Attorney General Kendra Kinscherf and John D. Finnegan, Esq. for joining him on Wednesday, March 26, 2025 to present the Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education Webinar “Tax Foreclosure in Massachusetts”. During the Webinar, Kendra, John & Matt reviewed the background and history of Tax Title Practice in Massachusetts, discussed the Supreme Court Decision in Tyler v. Hennepin County and its impact on Massachusetts Tax Title Foreclosures, discussed the changes to Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 60 resulting from the enactment of Chapter 140 of the Acts of 2024, discussed Tax Title Collection best practices post Chapter 140, and discussed pending legislation to further amend General Laws Chapter 60. The webinar is available On Demand to MCLE Subscribers.

We’d like to thank all our clients for the opportunity to provide Legal Services during the past year.

Our office will be closed from Monday, December 23, 2024 to Thursday, January 2, 2025 to allow us to share this joyous season with our family and friends.

On Wednesday, December 11, 2024, Matt presented at the Norfolk Suffolk Counties Assessors Association Winter Meeting at the Lafayette House in Foxborough, MA. During Matt’s presentation, entitled “Abatements, ATB Appeals and Overlays”, he discussed the basics of the Abatement and ATB Appeal Process as well as some best practices to protect Overlay Reserve Accounts. Matt also discussed the potential impacts of the changes to Tax Increment Financing Agreements resulting from the passage of Chapter 238 of the Acts of 2024.

Matt would like to thank NSCAA President Patricia O’Kane and all of the members of the NSCAA for the opportunity to present. Matt would also like to thank the over 50 participants for their participation and interesting questions.

For a copy of the presentation please follow the link  Abatements, ATB Appeals and Overlays 241211 or visit the “Resources” section of our website.

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 28, 2024 and Friday, November 29, 2024.

On Thursday, November 14, 2024, Matt presented at the MGFOA’s November Meeting at the Thayer Homestead in Medway, MA. During Matt’s presentation, entitled “Collecting Tax Title in a Post Chapter 140 World”, he discussed real estate tax collection best practices that municipalities may want to consider as they try to navigate the challenges created by the passage of certain outside sections Chapter 140 of the Acts of 2024.

Matt would like to thank the MGFOA for the opportunity to present. Matt would also like to thank the over 60 participants for their participation and interesting questions.

For a copy of the presentation please follow the link Collecting Tax Title in a Post Chapter 140 World 241114 or visit the “Resources” section of our website.