As longtime residents of Belmont and proud parents of Belmont High School graduates, we respectfully ask that the Belmont Country Club (BCC) pay its full property tax bill. Since the early 1970s, the BCC has taken advantage of a tax exception known as 61B, which allows it to pay a mere 25% of its property taxes. Meanwhile, the Belmont Hill Club (BHC) pays its fair share, for which we are grateful!
It is estimated that, over the past four decades, the BCC has avoided paying millions in property taxes. Imagine how much that money would support our community, including our new library and skating rink, schools, elder services, and affordable housing.
To add insult to injury, the BCC applies for annual abatements to further reduce its tax contribution, requiring unnecessary and costly litigation. We suspect that most BCC members are not aware that their club — whose golf course occupies 134 acres — has to be dragged to court to pay a fraction of its property taxes. We’re sure each member pays their individual property taxes in full — shouldn’t their country club do the same? Now, when our schools and municipal resources are in dire economic straits, is an excellent time for the BCC to pitch in its fair share.
If you agree, please consider writing to Anestis.Kalaitzidis@mahouse.gov to express your support for H.3970, An Act Updating the Tax Treatment of Recreational Lands, which would close the 61B tax loophole. It’s time we stopped being handicapped by the Belmont Country Club’s tax recalcitrance.
Karen Bauerle, Hurd Road and Caroline Light, Payson Road