07/18/2022 SELECT BOARD Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mashpee Select Board Minutes July 18, 2022 NEW BUSINESS Discussion uof Tax Exeml tion.Issues Pert ainin to Tribal Members: It is the opinion of the Tribe they should not be paying taxes when their job is to take care of the land. When the land was taken illegally, a lot of Tribal members lands were lost. Parcels have been identified as part of the original act related to the incorporation of the Town of Mashpee. It is recommended that Tribal members be considered a tax exemption, taken off the tax roll. This is an opportunity for the Town and Tribe to work together. The enormity of the issue requesting a tax exemption requires a working group to explore the implications. The Town of Mashpee is currently considering a residential exemption within the state confines in terms of permissible actions. If the residential exemption moves forward, limited tax relief would be provided to the primary year- round resident of the Town of Mashpee. This is a step to ease the tax burden on year-round residents. The Tribe is encouraged to submit the form to the Assessing Office to support this endeavor. However, there is no commitment at this time. Discussion of Future Meeting Topics and Dates: It was agreed that quarterly meetings would be conducted with the Town Manager. Additional working groups would meet in November to continue conversations. The Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) between the Town and Tribe would be discussed at a separate time to update, negotiate and amend. In closing, the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe requests to be treated as a Sovereign Nation, to be regarded equally. The priority is the land, The Tribe is currently working to secure state-owned land in Mashpee and is working with JBCC to acquire land and adjacent lands in Mashpee and in surrounding towns. The Tribe is also seeking acreage in wooded areas. ADJOURNMENT Motion made by Selectman Cotton to adjourn at 8:38 p.m. Motion seconded by Selectman O'Hara. VOTE: Unanimous. 4-0. Roll Call Vote: Selectman Gottlieb, yes Selectman Weeden, yes Selectman Cotton, yes Selectman O'Hara, yes Opposed, none Respectfully submitted, y 1 Kathleen M. Soares Secretary to the Select oard