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Board of Abatement Meeting & Hearing Draft Minutes

Board of Abatement Meeting & Hearing Draft Minutes

April 14, 2026 at 6:30 PM at the Chelsea Town Hall

Board of Abatement members present: Joe Spinella (JP), Emily Marshia (JP), Curtis Chase (SB), Gregg Herrin (SB), Phyllis Hayward (Lister), Susan Elder (Lister), Tracy Simon (JP), Paul Libby (SB), Charles Peel (SB), Carrie Caouette-De Lallo (SB), Jennifer Chase (TC)

Appellants present: None

Public present: Kasey Peterson

  1. Meeting called to order by Joe Spinella at 6:37pm
  2. Additions to Agenda: none 
  3. Public Comments: none
  4. Conflict of Interest Disclosure: none
  5. Elect Chair, if necessary
    1. Phyllis made a motion to nominate Joe Spinella as chair, Tracy seconded.  The motion passed.
  6. Rules of Procedure
    1. The abatement procedure was discussed and clarified.  Packets were provided to the board with application documents and statues.  
  7. Abatement Hearing for Parcel 076-003.000, 7 North Common, Snyder, K.
    1. Abatements were requested for property tax and water/sewer bill
    2. The board reviewed documents and discussed which statutory category the requests fell under.  
    3. The board discussed the status of the house as a having rental apartments and if there was the necessary permitting, how rental income factored into the income worksheet, how many water hookups were present, and if the water/sewer issue had been fixed.  
    4. Because the appellant was not present, many questions were left unanswered.  The board expressed confusion over some inconsistencies in the worksheets and additional information that was not provided.  
    5. The board discussed sources that the appellant could reach out to for assistance, such as SNAP, Capstone, social workers, and the town nurse.  The board recognized that they could not request assistance for her, but they could work to provide contact information and suggestions.  
    6. Concerns were expressed about the water being shut off or the property going up for tax sale if an abatement was not granted but there were also concerns about the lack of information provided and the appellant not providing a plan for future expenses as well as not setting up a payment plan with the treasurer or filing for homestead status.
    7. Joe asked if someone was ready to make a motion or if discussion should continue.
    8. Tracy made a motion to deny the request for water/sewer and tax abatement based on a lack of clear evidence of a need, Gregg seconded.  The motion passed
  8. Emily made a motion to adjourn, Charles seconded, meeting was adjourned at 7:37 pm