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2026 Annual Town Meeting, Town of Arlington, MA
Article: 31
Warrant Article Title:
HOME RULE LEGISLATION / 61B EXEMPTION
Warrant Article Text:
To see if the Town will vote to authorize and request the Select
Board to file Home Rule Legislation or other Special Legislation
exempting the Town from the requirement to accept and grant
applications for valuation, assessment, and taxation of land under
the provisions of Mass. Gen. Laws Chapter 61B while maintaining
the Town's first refusal option and ability to collect any and all
applicable conveyance and roll-back taxes for applications
previously granted under Mass. Gen. Laws Chapter 61B; or take
any action related thereto.
Requested By:
Carmine Granucci and ten registered voters
Report Excerpt:
Vote and comment to Town Meeting - Favorable Action (3-1)
Mr. Helmuth recused himself.
Mr. DeCourcey voted in the negative.
The Board voted 3-1 (with Mr. Helmuth recusing himself) to
recommend favorable action on this article that seeks to authorize
the filing of home rule legislation to exempt Arlington from the
provisions of G.L. c. 61B that allow for owners of certain types of
land defined as recreational to apply for and receive a reduced
property tax valuation. The Board heard from the article’s
petitioner, Carmine Granucci, who reported that this statute has
over the years provided a significant benefit to the Belmont and
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Winchester Country Clubs, entities that both own land in
Arlington.
The Board expressed some concern regarding the applicability of
this particular action on what is a matter of state law. During the
Board’s discussion, it became apparent that due to the statute’s
requirements regarding type of use and lot size, the only
properties in Arlington that qualify for relief under the statute are
the golf courses mentioned by the petitioner. Ultimately, the
Board determined that the potential impact of elimination Chapter
61B in Arlington, estimated by Mr. Granucci at approximately
$18,254 based on current tax rates, would be a benefit to the
town and not unreasonably impact the listed entities. Accordingly,
the Board voted 3-1 for favorable action on this article. It should
also be noted the Board requested that the Board of Assessors
review the warrant article as it relates to exemption applications
they process. The Board of Assessors voted unanimously to
support Article 31 at their April 6, 2026, meeting.
Vote Language:
That the Town does hereby request and authorize the Select
Board to file Home Rule Legislation to provide substantially as
follows:
“AN ACT UPDATING THE TAX TREATMENT OF
RECREATIONAL LANDS
IN THE TOWN OF ARLINGTON
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in
General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same as
follows:
a) Notwithstanding any special or general law to the contrary,
sections 2, 2A, and 16 of chapter 61B of the General Laws
pertaining to the valuation, assessment, and taxation of
recreational land (as defined in that chapter) shall not apply
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in the Town of Arlington’s assessment or taxation of recreational
land after July 1, 2028.
b) Beginning July 1, 2028, landowners shall not submit, and the
Town of Arlington Board of Assessors shall not allow,
applications under sections 3, 5, or 6 of chapter 61B of the
General Laws for eligibility for taxation at the rate applicable
to recreational land.
c) The provisions of sections 1, 4, 7-15, and 17-18 of chapter
61B of the General Laws, including the provisions pertaining
to changes in use, taxation upon conveyance, and roll-back
taxes shall continue to apply in full force to land previously
assessed or taxed as recreational land under chapter 61B by
the Town of Arlington.”
Select Board Report
