1/20/2011 SEWER COMMISSION Minutes

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-7- D. Suspensions/Deferrals 1. Suspensions If the assessed parcel is vacant, then the Assessing Board may extend the time for paying the assessment until the land is built upon or for a fixed time. Interest on a suspended assessment accrues at the rate of four percent per year. For water assessments, payment of both the assessment and interest is suspended. In all other cases, only payment of the assessment is suspended. The property owner must pay the interest annually. Payment of the suspended amount is due within three months after the land is built upon or the fixed time period expires, which applies. G.L. Ch. 80 §13A; G.L. Ch. 40 §421; Ch. 83 §19. Assessments on classified forestland, except those for the installation of water pipes to provide fire protection to the forestland, are suspended during the time the land is classified. G.L. Ch. 61 §5. If the assessment is on classified agricultural or horticultural land, the assessment and interest on the assessment may be suspended upon application by the property owner until the use of the land changes. G.L. Ch. 61A §18. If the assessment is on classified recreational land, however, only payment of the assessment may be suspended until the land use changes. The property owner must pay the interest annually. G.L. Ch. 6 1 B §13. 2. Deferrals If the city of town accepts the provisions of G.L. Ch. 80 §13B, the Assessing Board may permit the deferral of betterment and special assessments for elderly property owners in the same manner as property taxes are deferred. Only property owners who are eligible for a deferral of their property taxes under G.L. Ch. 59 §5(41A) may defer assessments. They must apply to the Assessing Board for a deferral within six months of the date the assessment notices were sent by the collector. If approved, the Assessing Board will enter into a deferral and recovery agreement with the property owner and will record the agreement in the Registry of Deeds. E. Prepayment of Apportioned Assessment After an assessment has been apportioned, the property owner may choose to pay all or a part of the assessment. If a property owner makes a written request to prepay the assessment, the assessors commit the amount of the prepayment, with interest, to the collector with a warrant. If no apportioned amount has been added to the tax,the interest is calculated from the 30th day after the date the assessment was originally committed until the date of prepayment. If an apportioned amount has been added to the tax, then the interest is calculated from October 1 of the year the last portion was added until the date of prepayment and the prepayment will be applied to the final year(s) so as to reduce the payment period. G.L. Ch. 80 §13.