Numerous residents and town officials have reached out to me about the recent story in the Belmont Voice regarding the Belmont Country Club $337K Tax Abatement.
It was the elected board that initiated this legal proceeding with the club. As an elected board we felt the club was not paying its fair share under 61B and we thought a Home Rule Petition would likely die in committee.
In my time as Chair of the Assessors I made sure to communicate with the Chair of the Select Board and the Town Administrator our legal case and the importance to see this through.
I was thrilled to hear from our legal counsel at the time that the elected Board of Assessors had won the initial tax case against the club. Other assessing boards throughout Massachusetts praised us for our efforts.
Although we had won, I knew that the club was likely to appeal the decision. At two different Select Board meetings I warned the Select Board of this appeal and asked them and the newly appointed assessing board to keep on top of this. Unfortunately, I don’t think either board had the expertise to fully comprehend the intricacies of this legal case.
It has been over two years since the elected Board of Assessors became appointed. As much as we tried to make it work it became evident that too many bridges had been burned and that it was best for the elected board to resign.
Serving on the Board of Assessors with Mr. Murphy and Mr. Reardon was an honor of a lifetime. I truly hope the appointed Board of Assessors is able to turn this once highly regarded assessing department around.
Charles R. Laverty, III, Cedar Road
