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MIDDLEFIELD INFO
A few observations and a repository of information for a small town in Hampshire County, Massachusetts _____________________________________________________________________________________________
Chapter Land
This page looks at the effect of the State mandated Chapter 61 property tax exclusions on a small rural town. I commented on this topic in a Letter to the Editor in 2018. Please visit the link for details. Is it just me or does this seem like a taxation without representation? The State mandates a near property tax holiday for a bunch of for-profit businesses. Instead of the cost being spread equally across the entire state, the levy is dumped on small rural towns that are least able to afford the loss of income. A few landowners benefit and the rest of the town is saddled with $500 of extra property tax. This in turn reduces the incentive for outsiders to purchase or build in Middlefield. I note that several residents who could substantially reduce their property tax burdens through the Chapter Land program have declined to do so. I assume this is an act of public spiritedness. Initially noted are the proprietors of Azure Green, the Bakers on Chester Road and the Beemans at the center. I’m sure I will find more. I intend to publish a list of all the recipients of Chapter Land tax reductions. The first on the list is Anne Marie Visconti who has reduced her taxes by $573 by a Chapter 61B filing. The second is Joe Kearns who saves $104.
The following are several more letters to the editor on this topic. Chapter Land – I’m doing my part The State owns 31% of Middlefield The State owns 31% - Continued Tax Exemptions Hurt Small Towns State Lands Subsidized by Taxpayers
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