3/8/1994 BOARD OF ASSESSORS Minutes

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Board of Assessors Meeting Page Abatement Application - Map 43 ,.arcel. 4 - 42 . 7 Acres (continued) Assessing. The property had been owned by Mercy Lowe, a native woman who died in 1948 , but the Grantor on the deed is Roger A. Murray, with no address listed. The property has always been assessed to owners Unknown since 1976 . The Water Department, by letter of May 1 , 1990 , wanted to purchase the land, needed to install a well , had an appraisal done showing land value o $2 , 225 , but actual assessment was $494 ,, 400 * The property is currently assessed to Grafton Associates , and the file lists the name of Mr. Baxter of Baxter & Nye in stervi'lle . Mr, DeLory feels the matter should be researched. Upon question from vice Chairman Bortere Mr. DeLory stated that real property taxes have been paid from 1991 through 1994 . David Bailey informed. that Mercy Lowe lured in the 180s and died in 1888 - Mr. DeLory has found the death certificate of , perhaps, the granddaughter. Mr, Baxter,, who may own a small percentage of Grafton Associates , +apparently formed the group for the purpose of purchasing the subject land, and Mr. Banter ' applied for the abatement; his business partners have been buying segments of the land from various heirs of Mercy Lowe; there are other deeds that Assessing received, but not filed in the original folder. Be expressed opinion that so long as the taxes are being paid, ownership history is interesting but not relevant to Assessing. [upon question from Mr. DeLory, Mr. Bailey stated the property had been assessed to Owners Unknown and is unaware of why and how Assessing started to assess Grafton Associates. Lengthy discussion followed. Upon question from Robert DeLory, David Bailey stated that he will check tomorrow about payment of taxes prior to 1991 . Be explained that the D. . . ' s feeling about these kinds of owner unknown properties is to assess the person or group paying the taxes even though the property deed may be invalid , which is the risk taken by whoever is paying the- taxes. Upon closer look at the deed referenced by Robert DeLory as having been recorded on March 2 . 1994 , Mr. Bailey noted that it was recorded in 1988 ; he agreed the address of the Grantor should have been listed and intends to check this problem with The Registry of Deeds in person as well as search for any other deeds to the property that Assessing may not have received and that may list Mr. Murray' s name as Grantor; Mr, Murray has apparently established himself as an heir to Mercy Lowe of the 1800s. Lengthy discussion followed relevant to the legal process of an heir partitioning The Court for the purpose of bidding on that property 0 . much like Mr. larters di