[Adopted 9-3-1998 by L.L. No. 1-1998]
The purpose of this article is to grant a partial exemption for the reconstruction or rehabilitation of historic barns in accordance with § 483-b of the Real Property Tax Law of the State of New York.
For purposes of this article, an historic barn shall mean a structure that was at least partially constructed before 1936 and that was originally designed and used for storing farm equipment or agricultural products, or for housing livestock.
Historic barns which are reconstructed or rehabilitated shall be exempt from taxation to the extent hereinafter provided, subject to the following conditions:
A. 
Such barns shall be exempt for a period of one year to the extent of 100% of the increase in assessed value thereof attributable to such reconstruction or rehabilitation and for an additional period of nine years subject to the following:
(1) 
The extent of such exemption shall be decreased by 10% of the exemption base each year during such additional period. The "exemption base" shall be the increase in the assessed value as determined in the initial year of the term of the exemption, except as provided in Subsection A(2) of this section.
(2) 
In any year in which a change in level of assessment of 15% or more is certified for a final assessment roll pursuant to the rules of the State Board of Real Property Services, the exemption base shall be calculated in accordance with the provisions of Real Property Tax Law § 483-b, Subdivision 2(a)(ii).
B. 
No such exemption shall be granted for reconstruction or rehabilitation unless such reconstruction or rehabilitation was commenced on or after June 1, 1998, it being the express intent of this article that reconstruction or rehabilitation which has been or may be commenced between June 1, 1998, and the effective date of this article may qualify for the exemption provided hereby.
C. 
No such exemption shall be granted to an historic barn which is receiving an exemption pursuant to § 483 of the Real Property Tax Law or which has received an exemption pursuant to such section within 10 years of the date of the application for exemption filed pursuant to this article.
D. 
No such exemption shall be granted to an historic barn which is used for residential purposes.
E. 
No such exemption shall be granted for reconstruction and rehabilitation expenses that materially alter the historic appearance of the barn.
F. 
Such exemption shall be granted only upon application by the owner of such barn on a form prescribed by the State Board of Real Property Services. The application shall be filed with the Assessor of the Town of Forestburgh on or before the appropriate status date of the Town of Forestburgh.
G. 
If satisfied that the barn is entitled to an exemption pursuant to this article and § 483-b of the Real Property Tax Law, the Assessor of the Town of Forestburgh shall approve the application and such barn shall thereafter be exempt from taxation as herein provided commencing with the assessment roll prepared on the basis of the taxable status date referred to in Subsection F of this section. The assessed value of any exemption granted pursuant to this article shall be entered by the Assessor on the assessment roll with the taxable property, with the amount of the exemption shown in a separate column.