By adopting MGL c. 59, § 59A ("Brownfield Legislation"),
the Town is able to make agreements regarding the payment of outstanding
real estate taxes, interest and penalties, including the abatement
of those amounts necessary to make the cleanup and redevelopment of
a contaminated property economically feasible. This article will provide
the procedure for the award of such tax agreements.
The Brownfields Committee shall be composed of the Town Manager,
the Town Planning Director, and the Assistant Assessor/Office Manager.
The Brownfields Committee shall have the authority to negotiate
and propose tax agreements encompassing any or all of the following:
reductions of outstanding taxes, interest, and/or penalties.
Upon approval by a four-fifths vote of all the members of the
Select Board and by a two-thirds vote of the Board of Assessors, the
Town Manager shall be authorized to enter a Brownfields agreement
on behalf of the Town of Mansfield; except, however, a Brownfields
tax agreement that would cause a deficit in the tax overlay account
for any fiscal year shall also require approval of a majority vote
at a Town Meeting.
