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HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 117 FILED ON: 1/6/2025
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 3161
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
_________________
PRESENTED BY:
David Henry Argosky LeBoeuf
_________________
To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:
The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:
An Act relative to the classification and taxation of urban public access land.
_______________
PETITION OF:
NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :DATE ADDED:David Henry Argosky LeBoeuf17th Worcester1/6/2025John R. Gaskey2nd Plymouth3/1/2025 1 of 22
HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 117 FILED ON: 1/6/2025
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 3161
By Representative LeBoeuf of Worcester, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 3161) of
David Henry Argosky LeBoeuf and John R. Gaskey relative to the classification and taxation of
urban public access land. Revenue.
[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
SEE HOUSE, NO. 2866 OF 2023-2024.]
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
_______________
In the One Hundred and Ninety-Fourth General Court
(2025-2026)
_______________
An Act relative to the classification and taxation of urban public access land.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority
of the same, as follows:
1 Massachusetts General Laws, Part I, Title IX, is amended to include the following:
2 Chapter 61C: CLASSIFICATION AND TAXATION OF URBAN PUBLIC ACCESS
3LAND
4 Section 1. Urban Public Access land and uses
5 Land not less than five thousand square feet in area in Cities of the Commonwealth shall
6be deemed to be Urban Public Access Land if it is retained in substantially a natural, wild, or
7open condition and is open to public access, or in urban agriculture as a proposed or extant
8Community Garden serving members of the public, or in silviculture as a proposed or extant tree
9nursery serving members of the public, or in recreation as a proposed or extant recreational use 2 of 22
10provided it be approved by and subject to procedures established by the municipal Parks
11Commission in such a manner as to allow to a significant extent the recreational use of the
12public, or in natural condition so as to preserve natural resources, including but not limited to,
13ground or surface water resources, clean air, vegetation, rare or endangered species, geologic
14features, high quality soils, and scenic resources with public access. Land not less than five
15thousand square feet in area shall also be deemed to be Urban Public Access Land which is
16devoted primarily to recreational use and is available to the general public or to members of a
17non-profit organization including a corporation organized under chapter one hundred and eighty.
18 For the purpose of this chapter, the term recreational use shall be limited to the following:
19a tot-lot youth playground, walking, hiking, nature study and observation, boating, golfing, non-
20commercial youth sports, bocce, lawn bowling, handball, volleyball, disc golf, frisbee, fishing,
21skiing, swimming, or picnicking area.
22 Such recreational use shall not include horse racing, dog racing, or any sport normally
23undertaken in a stadium, gymnasium or similar structure.
24 Urban agriculture of plants in raised beds or transparent greenhouses shall be permitted.
25 Urban silviculture, and in particular the raising of trees in a nursery shall be permitted.
26 Any of the following, Conservation Commission, Parks Commission, Tree Warden, or a
27non-profit organization, including a corporation organized under chapter one hundred and eighty,
28and organized for a mission specifically relevant to the purposes of Urban Access as defined
29above, must attest in writing to the suitability of the proposed land for meeting the purposes of
30this Chapter to be deemed eligible to apply for consideration for Urban Access. 3 of 22
31 Section 2: Value of Urban Access land; rate of tax
32 The value of land classified under the provisions of this chapter shall be determined
33under section thirty-eight of chapter fifty-nine solely on the basis of its use. The board of
34assessors shall assess such land at valuations based upon the guidelines established under the
35provisions of chapter fifty-eight, but in no event shall such valuation exceed twenty-five per cent
36of its fair cash value as determined pursuant to chapter fifty-nine.
37 The rate of tax applicable to such Urban Access land shall be the rate determined to be
38applicable to class three, commercial property under chapter fifty-nine.
39 Section 2A: Tax rate for recreational land
40 In a city that accepts this section, the rate of tax applicable to Urban Access land shall be
41the rate determined to be applicable to class two, open space.
42 Section 3: Eligibility for classification as Urban Access
43 Eligibility of land for valuation, assessment and taxation under this chapter shall be
44determined separately for each tax year. Application therefor shall be submitted to the board of
45assessors of each city in which such land is situated not later than October first of the year
46preceding each tax year for which such valuation, assessment and taxation is being sought.
47Application shall be made on a form prescribed by the commissioner of revenue and provided
48for the use of applicants by said board of assessors. Such form shall provide for the reporting of
49information pertinent to the provisions of this chapter and for certification by the applicant that
50he will immediately notify the board of assessors in writing of any subsequent circumstance
51within his control or knowledge which may cause a change in use of the land covered by such 4 of 22
52form prior to October first next following. Any application submitted under this section and
53covering leased land shall be accompanied by a written statement signed by the lessee of his
54intent to use such land for the purposes set forth in said application. A certification by a
55landowner that the information set forth in his application is true may be prescribed by said
56commissioner to be in lieu of a sworn statement to that effect. An application so certified shall be
57considered as if made under oath and subject to the same penalties as provided by law for
58perjury.
59 Section 4: Changes in use; valuation; additional assessments
60 If a change in use of land maintained as Urban Access land as defined in section one
61occurs between October first and June thirtieth of the year preceding the tax year, the board of
62assessors shall disallow or nullify the application filed under authority of section three, and, after
63examination and inquiry, shall determine the full and fair value of said land under the valuation
64standard applicable to other land and shall assess the same according to such value. If,
65notwithstanding such change of use, the land is valued, assessed and taxed under the provisions
66of this chapter in the ensuing year, upon notice thereof said board shall enter an assessment and
67the amount of the increased tax resulting from such assessment, as an added assessment and tax
68against such land, for the particular year involved in the manner prescribed in section seventy-
69five of chapter fifty-nine. The amount of the added assessment shall be equal to the difference, if
70any, between the assessment imposed under this chapter and the assessment which would have
71been imposed had the land been valued and assessed as other land. The enforcement and
72collection of additional taxes resulting from any additional assessment so imposed shall be as
73provided by said chapters fifty-nine and sixty. 5 of 22
74 Section 5: Revaluation programs; time for application for Urban Access classification
75 In any city in which a program of revaluation of all property therein has been or shall be
76undertaken and completed in time to be reflected in the assessments for the next succeeding tax
77year but not in sufficient time to permit landowners to make application prior to October first of
78the year preceding the tax year for the valuation, assessment and taxation of their lands for the
79ensuing tax year on the basis of being maintained in recreational use, any such application filed
80with the board of assessors after October first and not more than thirty days following the
81mailing of the tax bill containing the new valuation shall be deemed to have been timely made
82for the tax year of the revaluation program, notwithstanding any provision of this chapter to the
83contrary. If such application is approved and the lands qualify for valuation, assessment and
84taxation as lands maintained for Urban Access use in the ensuing tax year, the portion of any tax
85assessed for such year which is in excess of the tax which would have been assessed on such
86lands had such application been timely made and approved shall be abated.
87 Section 6: Allowance or disallowance of applications; time; records; liens
88 An application for valuation, assessment and taxation of land under the provisions of this
89chapter shall be allowed or disallowed by the board of assessors of the city in which such land is
90located within three months of the filing thereof. An application for valuation, assessment and
91taxation of land under the provisions of this chapter shall be disallowed by the board of assessors
92of the city in which such land is located if, in their judgment such land, in whole or in part, does
93not qualify thereunder. If any board of assessors shall determine that any such application is
94submitted for the purpose of evading payment of full and proper taxes, such board shall disallow
95such application. The failure of a board of assessors to allow or disallow any such application 6 of 22
96within three months following the filing thereof, shall be deemed a disallowance of such
97application. The board of assessors shall, within ten days of an allowance, or disallowance, send
98written notice of such allowance, or disallowance, by certified mail to the applicant and shall set
99forth therein the reason or reasons for disallowance together with a statement advising the
100applicant of his right to appeal therefrom as provided in section fourteen. In the case of a partial
101disallowance, the applicant shall be permitted to file an amendment to the original application.
102 With respect to the first application relating to a parcel of land which has been approved,
103and any subsequent such applications after a lapse of time when such land has not been valued,
104assessed and taxed under this chapter or after a change of record ownership of such land, the
105board of assessors shall forthwith cause to be recorded in the registry of deeds of the county or
106district in which the city is situated a statement of their action which shall constitute a lien upon
107the land covered by such application for such taxes as may be levied under the provisions of this
108chapter. The statement shall name the owner or owners of record and shall include a description
109of the land adequate for identification. Unless such a statement is recorded the lien shall not be
110effective with respect to a bona fide purchaser or other transferee without actual knowledge of
111such lien. Upon application of any record owner, such liens shall be released by the board of
112assessors with respect to any parcel of land as hereinafter provided upon the applicable facts
113being established by records, affidavits or otherwise.
114 All liens for conveyance tax under section seven shall be released upon its being
115established that no conveyance or change of use by the owner at the time of such release will
116result in a conveyance tax under said section seven or that any such taxes which have become
117due have been paid. 7 of 22
118 All liens for roll-back taxes under section eight, other than roll-back taxes based on
119change of use after the date of such release, shall be released upon its being so established that
120no roll-back taxes have become due or that any such taxes which have become due have been
121paid.
122 The board of assessors shall also have the power and authority to release any such liens to
123correct any errors or omissions. Any release under this section shall be recorded with the registry
124of deeds.
125 When any land which has been valued, assessed and taxed under this chapter ceases to be
126so valued, assessed and taxed the board of assessors shall forthwith record in the said registry of
127deeds a statement to that effect which shall include the name of the record owner or owners, the
128date when such land ceased to be so valued, assessed and taxed and a description of the land
129adequate for identification.
130 All recording fees paid under this chapter whether for statements of liens, certificates,
131releases or otherwise shall be borne by the owner of record of the land.
132 Section 7: Land sold for other uses; conveyance tax; nonexempt transfers
133 Any Urban Access land which is valued, assessed and taxed under the provisions of this
134chapter, if sold for other use within a period of ten years from the beginning of the fiscal year in
135which it was first so classified shall be subject to a conveyance tax applicable to the total sales
136price of such land, which tax shall be in addition to such taxes as may be imposed under any
137other provision of law. Said conveyance tax shall be at the following rate: ten per cent if sold
138within the first five years of its being first so classified; and, five per cent if sold within the sixth
139through tenth year of its being first so classified. No conveyance tax shall be imposed under the 8 of 22
140provisions of this section following the end of the tenth year of its being first so classified. The
141conveyance tax shall be due and payable by the grantor at the time of transfer of the property by
142deed or other instrument of conveyance and shall be payable to the tax collector of the city in
143which the property is entered upon the tax list. In the case of taking by eminent domain, the
144value of the property taken shall be determined in accordance with chapter 79, and the amount of
145conveyance tax, if any, shall be added as an added value. If there is filed with the board of
146assessors an affidavit by the purchaser that the land is being purchased for Urban Access use, no
147conveyance tax shall be payable by the seller by reason of the sale, but if the land is not
148continued in that use for at least 5 consecutive years, the purchaser shall be liable for any
149conveyance tax that would have been payable on the sale as a sale for other use. The conveyance
150tax shall be assessed only on the portion of land whose use has changed. Notwithstanding the
151foregoing provisions, no conveyance tax shall be assessed if the land involved, or a lesser
152interest in the land, is acquired for a recreation, agricultural, silvicultural, or natural resource
153purpose by the city in which it is situated, by the commonwealth or by a nonprofit conservation
154organization, but if any portion of the land is sold for or converted to commercial, residential, or
155industrial use within 5 years of acquisition by a nonprofit conservation organization, the
156conveyance tax shall be assessed against the nonprofit conservation organization in the amount
157that would have been assessed at the time of acquisition of the subject parcel by the nonprofit
158conservation organization had such transaction been subject to a conveyance tax. The
159conveyance tax shall be assessed only on the portion of land whose use has changed.
160 Except with respect to eminent domain takings, this section shall not apply to the
161following: mortgage deeds; deeds to or by the city in which the land is located; deeds which
162correct, modify, supplement or confirm a deed previously recorded; deeds between husband and 9 of 22
163wife and parent and child when no consideration is received; tax deeds; deeds releasing any
164property which is a security for a debt or other obligation; deeds for division of property between
165owners without monetary consideration; foreclosures of mortgages and conveyances by the
166foreclosing parties; deeds made pursuant to a merger of a corporation or by a subsidiary
167corporation to a parent corporation for no consideration other than cancellation and surrender of
168capital stock of the subsidiary which do not change beneficial ownership; and property
169transferred by devise or other as a result of death. A nonexempt transfer subsequent to any
170exempt transfer or transfers shall be subject to the provisions of this section. Upon such
171nonexempt transfer the date of acquisition by the grantor, for purposes of this section, shall be
172deemed to be the date of the last preceding transfer not excluded by the foregoing provisions
173from application of this section; except that in the case of transfer by a grantor who has acquired
174the property from a foreclosing mortgagee the date of acquisition shall be deemed to be the date
175of such acquisition. If any tax imposed under this section should not be paid, the collector of
176taxes shall have the same powers and be subject to the same duties with respect to such taxes as
177in the case of the annual taxes upon real estate. The law in regard to the collection of the annual
178taxes, to the sale of land for the nonpayment thereof and to redemption therefrom shall apply to
179such taxes, so far as the same are applicable. Any classified Urban Access land which is valued,
180assessed and taxed under the provisions of this chapter, if changed by the owner thereof to
181another use within a period of ten years from the date of its classification for Urban Access use
182by said owner, shall be subject to the conveyance tax applicable hereunder at the time of such
183change in use as if there had been an actual conveyance, and the value of such land for the
184purpose of determining a total sales price shall be fair market value as determined by the board
185of assessors of the city involved for all other property. 10 of 22
186 Notwithstanding this section, no conveyance tax imposed by this section will be assessed
187on land that meets the definition of forest land under section 1 of chapter 61 or the definition of
188agricultural land under sections 1 and 3 of chapter 61A or the definition of horticultural land
189under sections 2 and 3 of chapter 61A or the definition of recreational land under section 1 of
190chapter 61B.
191 Section 8: Disqualification of land; roll-back taxes
192 Whenever land which is valued, assessed and taxed under this chapter no longer meets
193the definition of Urban Access use, it shall be subject to additional taxes, in this section called
194roll-back taxes, in the current tax year in which it is disqualified and in each of the 4 immediately
195preceding tax years in which the land was so valued, assessed and taxed, but the roll-back taxes
196shall not apply unless the amount of the taxes, as computed under this section, exceeds the
197amount, if any, imposed under section 7 and, in that case, the land shall not be subject to the
198conveyance tax imposed under said section 7. For each tax year, the roll-back tax shall be equal
199to the difference, if any, between the taxes paid or payable for that tax year in accordance with
200this chapter and the taxes that would have been paid or payable had the land been valued,
201assessed and taxed without regard to these provisions. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions,
202no roll-back taxes shall be assessed if the land involved, or a lesser interest in the land, is
203acquired for a recreational, agricultural, silvicultural, or natural resource purpose by the city in
204which it is situated, by the commonwealth or by a nonprofit conservation organization, but if any
205portion of the land is sold or converted to commercial, residential, or industrial use within 5
206years after acquisition by a nonprofit conservation organization, roll-back taxes shall be assessed
207against the nonprofit conservation organization in the amount that would have been assessed at
208the time of acquisition of the subject parcel by the nonprofit conservation organization had the 11 of 22
209transaction been subject to a roll-back tax. If, at the time during a tax year when a change in land
210use has occurred, the land was not then valued, assessed and taxed under the provisions of this
211chapter, then such land shall be subject to roll-back taxes only for such of the 5 immediately
212preceding years in which the land was valued, assessed and taxed thereunder. In determining the
213amount of roll-back taxes on land which has undergone a change in use, the board of assessors
214shall have ascertained the following for each of the roll-back tax years involved:
215 (a) the full and fair value of such land under the valuation standard applicable to other
216land in the city;
217 (b) the amount of the land assessment for the particular tax year;
218 (c) the amount of the additional assessment on the land for the particular tax year by
219deducting the amount of the actual assessment on the land for that year from the amount of the
220land assessment determined under clause (a); and,
221 (d) the amount of the roll-back tax for that tax year by multiplying the amount of the
222additional assessment determined under clause (c) by the general property tax rate of the city
223applicable for that tax year.
224 Interest on roll-back taxes shall be payable and shall be computed as simple interest at 5
225per cent per annum. If the board of assessors determines that the total amount of the roll-back
226taxes to be assessed under this section, before the addition of any interest as provided for in the
227preceding paragraph, would be less than $10, no tax shall be assessed.
228 No roll-back tax imposed by this section will be assessed on land that meets the
229definition of forest land under section 1 of chapter 61, agricultural land under sections 1 and 3 of 12 of 22
230chapter 61A, or horticultural land under sections 2 and 3 of chapter 61A, or recreational land
231under section 1 of chapter 61B.
232 Land retained as open space as required for the mitigation of a development shall be
233subject to the roll-back taxes imposed by this section.
234 Section 9: Notice of intent to sell for or convert to other use; option of first refusal;
235assignment of option
236 Land taxed under this chapter shall not be sold for, or converted to, residential, industrial
237or commercial use while so taxed or within 1 year after that time unless the city in which the
238land is located has been notified of the intent to sell for, or to convert to, that other use.
239 The discontinuance of Urban Access use shall not, in itself, for the purposes of this
240section, be considered a conversion. Specific use of land for a residence for the owner, the
241owner's spouse or a parent, grandparent, child, grandchild, or brother or sister of the owner, or
242surviving husband or wife of any deceased such relative, or for living quarters for any persons
243actively employed full-time in the use and care of such land for recreational purposes, shall not
244be a conversion for the purposes of this section, and a certificate of the board of assessors,
245recorded with the registry of deeds, shall conclusively establish that particular use.
246 Any notice of intent to sell for such other use shall be accompanied by a statement of
247intent to sell, a statement of proposed use of the land, the location and acreage of land as shown
248on a map drawn at the scale of the assessors map in the city in which the land is situated, and the
249name, address and telephone number of the landowner. 13 of 22
250 Any notice of intent to sell for other use shall be accompanied by a certified copy of an
251executed purchase and sale agreement specifying the purchase price and all terms and conditions
252of the proposed sale, which is limited to only the property classified under this chapter, and
253which shall be a bona fide offer as described below.
254 Any notice of intent to sell for other use shall also be accompanied by any additional
255agreements or a statement of any additional consideration for any contiguous land under the
256same ownership, and not classified under this chapter, but sold or to be sold contemporaneously
257with the proposed sale.
258 For the purposes of this chapter, a bona fide offer to purchase shall mean a good faith
259offer, not dependent upon potential changes to current zoning or conditions or contingencies
260relating to the potential for, or the potential extent of, subdivision of the property for residential
261use or the potential for, or the potential extent of development of the property for industrial or
262commercial use, made by a party unaffiliated with the landowner for a fixed consideration
263payable upon delivery of the deed.
264 Any notice of intent to convert to other use shall be accompanied by a statement of intent
265to convert, a statement of proposed use of such land, the location and acreage of land as shown
266on a map drawn at the scale of the assessors map in the city in which the land is situated, the
267name, address and telephone number of the landowner and the landowner's attorney, if any.
268 The notice of intent to sell or convert shall be sent by the landowner by certified mail or
269hand delivered to the mayor and city council of a city, and to its board of assessors, to its
270planning board, parks commission, conservation commission, and to the state forester. 14 of 22
271 A notarized affidavit that the landowner has mailed or delivered a notice of intent to sell
272or convert shall be conclusive evidence that the landowner has mailed the notice in the manner
273and at the time specified. Each affidavit shall have attached to it a copy of the notice of intent to
274which it relates.
275 The notice of intent to sell or convert shall be considered to have been duly mailed if
276addressed to the mayor and city council in care of the city clerk; to the planning board, parks
277commission, conservation commission if addressed to them directly; to the state forester if
278addressed to the commissioner of the department of conservation and recreation and to the
279assessors if addressed to them directly.
280 If the notice of intent to sell or convert does not contain all of the material as described
281above, then the city, within 30 days after receipt, shall notify the landowner in writing that notice
282is insufficient and does not comply.
283 For a period of 120 days after the day following the latest date of deposit in the United
284States mail of any notice which complies with this section, the city shall have, in the case of
285intended sale, a first refusal option to meet a bona fide offer to purchase the land.
286 In the case of intended or determined conversion not involving sale, the municipality
287shall have an option to purchase the land at full and fair market value to be determined by an
288impartial appraisal performed by a certified appraiser hired at the expense of the municipality or
289its assignee, the original appraisal to be completed and delivered to the landowner within 30 days
290after the notice of conversion to the municipality. In the event that the landowner is dissatisfied
291with the original appraisal, the landowner may, at the landowner's expense contract for a second
292appraisal, to be completed within 60 days after the delivery of the notice to convert. If, after 15 of 22
293completion of the second appraisal, the parties cannot agree on a consideration, the parties will
294contract with a mutually acceptable appraiser for a third appraisal whose cost will be borne
295equally by both parties. The third appraisal shall be delivered to both parties within 90 days after
296the notice of conversion to the municipality and shall be the final determination of consideration.
297Upon agreement of a consideration, the city shall then have 120 days to exercise its option.
298During the appraisal process, the landowner may revoke the intent to convert at any time and
299with no recourse to either party.
300 The option may be exercised only after a public hearing followed by written notice
301signed by the mayor, mailed to the landowner by certified mail at the address that is specified in
302the notice of intent. Notice of the public hearing shall be given in accordance with section 23B of
303chapter 39.
304 The notice of exercise shall also be recorded at the registry of deeds and shall contain the
305name of the record owner of the land and description of the premises adequate for identification
306of them.
307 The notice to the landowner of the city's election to exercise its option shall be
308accompanied by a proposed purchase and sale contract or other agreement between the city and
309the landowner which, if executed, shall be fulfilled within a period of not more than 90 days after
310the date the contract or agreement, endorsed by the landowner, is returned by certified mail to the
311mayor, or upon expiration of any extended period that the landowner has agreed to in writing,
312whichever is later.
313 At the public hearing or a further public hearing, the city may assign its option to a
314nonprofit conservation organization or to the commonwealth or any of its political subdivisions 16 of 22
315under the terms and conditions that the mayor may consider appropriate. Notice of the public
316hearing shall be given in accordance with section 23B of chapter 39.
317 The assignment shall be for the purpose of maintaining no less than 70 per cent of the
318land in use as forest land as defined in section 1 of this chapter, as agricultural and horticultural
319land as defined in sections 1 and 2 of chapter 61A or as recreation land as defined in section 1 of
320chapter 61B, or as Urban Access land as defined in section 1 of chapter 61C, and in no case shall
321the assignee develop a greater proportion of the land than was proposed by the developer whose
322offer gave rise to the assignment. All land other than land that is to be developed shall then be
323bound by a permanent deed restriction that meets the requirements of chapter 184.
324 If the first refusal option has been assigned to a nonprofit conservation organization or to
325the commonwealth or any of its political subdivisions as provided in this section, the mayor shall
326provide written notice of assignment to the landowner.
327 The notice of assignment shall state the name and address of the organization or agency
328of the commonwealth which will exercise the option in addition to the terms and conditions of
329the assignment. The notice of assignment shall be recorded with the registry of deeds.
330 Failure to record either the notice of exercise or the notice of assignment within the 120
331day period shall be conclusive evidence that the city has not exercised its option.
332 If the option has been assigned to a nonprofit conservation organization or to the
333commonwealth or any of its political subdivisions, the option may be exercised by the assignee
334only by written notice to the landowner signed by the assignee, mailed to the landowner by
335certified mail at the address that is specified in the notice of intent. 17 of 22
336 The notice of exercise shall also be recorded with the registry of deeds and shall contain
337the name of the record owner of the land and description of the premises adequate for
338identification of them.
339 The notice of exercise to the landowner shall be accompanied by a proposed purchase
340and sale contract or other agreement between the assignee and landowner which, if executed,
341shall be fulfilled within a period of not more than 90 days, or upon expiration of any extended
342period that the landowner has agreed to in writing, from the date the contract or agreement,
343endorsed by the landowner, is returned by certified mail to the assignee.
344 During the 120 day period, the city or its assignees, shall have the right, at reasonable
345times and upon reasonable notice, to enter upon the land for the purpose of surveying and
346inspecting said land, including but not limited to soil testing for purposes of Title V and the
347taking of water samples.
348 The city or its assignee shall have all rights assigned to the buyer in the purchase and
349sales agreement contained in the notice of intent.
350 If the city elects not to exercise the option, and not to assign its right to exercise the
351option, the city shall send written notice of nonexercise signed by the mayor or to the landowner
352by certified mail at the address that is specified in the notice of intent. The notice of nonexercise
353shall contain the name of the owner of record of the land and description of the premises
354adequate for identification of them, and shall be recorded with the registry of deeds.
355 No sale or conversion of the land shall be consummated until the option period has
356expired or the notice of nonexercise has been recorded with the registry of deeds, and no sale of
357the land shall be consummated if the terms of the sale differ in any material way from the terms 18 of 22
358of the purchase and sale agreement which accompanied the bona fide offer to purchase as
359described in the notice of intent to sell except as provided herein.
360 This section shall not apply to a mortgage foreclosure sale, but the holder of a mortgage
361shall, at least 90 days before a foreclosure sale, send written notice of the time and place of the
362sale to the parties in the manner described in this section for notice of intent to sell or convert,
363and the giving of that notice may be established by an affidavit as described in this section.
364 Section 10: Buildings on Urban Access land; land occupied by dwellings or used for
365family living; taxation
366 All building located on land which is valued, assessed and taxed on the basis of its Urban
367Access use in accordance with the provisions of this chapter and all land occupied by a dwelling
368or regularly used for family living shall be valued, assessed and taxed by the same standards,
369methods and procedures as other taxable property.
370 Section 11: Continuance of classification
371 Continuance of land valuation, assessment and taxation under the provisions of this
372chapter shall depend upon continuance of such land in Urban Access use and compliance with
373other requirements of this chapter and not upon continuance in the same owner of title to such
374land. Liability to roll-back taxes, determined pursuant to section eight shall attach when such
375land no longer qualifies as Urban Access land actively and shall be the obligation of the then
376owner of the land. For purposes relating to roll-back taxes such qualification shall depend on the
377actual use of such land for the previous 5 years, and not on the filing of application under section
378three for any year. 19 of 22
379 Section 12: Separation of land for non-Urban Access use
380 If, by conveyance or other action of the owner thereof, a portion of land which is valued,
381assessed and taxed under the provisions of this chapter is separated for a use which does not
382qualify as Urban Access land, the land so separated shall be subject to liability for conveyance or
383roll-back taxes applicable thereto, but such separation shall not impair the right of the remainder
384of such land to continuance of valuation, assessment and taxation thereunder; provided, however,
385that such remaining land continues to so qualify.
386 Section 13: Special or betterment assessments
387 Land qualifying for valuation, assessment and taxation under this chapter shall be subject
388to special assessments or betterment assessments to such pro rata extent as the service or facility
389financed by such assessment is used for improving the Urban Access use capability of said land
390or for the personal benefit of the owner thereof. This assessment shall, however, upon
391application, be suspended during the time the land is in classified Urban Access use and shall
392become due and payable as of the date when the use of the land is changed. Payment of the
393assessment and interest on it shall be made in accordance with section 13 of chapter 80, but the
394interest shall be computed from the date of the change in use. If only a portion of a tract of land
395which benefits from a suspension of payment is changed from that use, the assessment shall
396become due and payable as of the date when the use was changed only to the extent of and in the
397proportion that the frontage of that portion bears to the street frontage of the entire tract of land
398which originally benefited from a suspension of payment. Upon receipt of full payment of a
399portion of a suspended assessment, the tax collector shall dissolve the lien for the assessment
400insofar as it affects the portion of the land changed from Urban Access use. The lien for the 20 of 22
401portion of the original assessment which remains unpaid shall continue and remain in full force
402and effect until dissolved in accordance with law. A request for this release shall be made in
403writing to the tax collector and shall be accompanied by a plan and other information that is
404required in the case of a request for a division of an assessment under section 10.
405 Section 14: Roll-back taxes; procedures for assessment, etc.; modification or abatement;
406appeals
407 The assessment, collection, apportionment and payment over of the roll-back taxes
408imposed by section eight shall be governed by the procedures provided for the assessment and
409taxation of omitted property under section seventy-five of chapter fifty-nine. Such procedures
410shall apply to each tax year for which roll-back taxes may be imposed notwithstanding the
411limitation set forth in said chapter fifty-nine with respect to the periods for which omitted
412property assessments may be imposed. Any person aggrieved by any determination or
413assessment by the board of assessors under this chapter may within 30 days of the date of notice
414thereof apply in writing to the assessors for modification or abatement thereof. Any person
415aggrieved by the refusal of the assessors to modify such a determination or make such an
416abatement or by their failure to act upon such an application may appeal to the appellate tax
417board within thirty days after the date of notice of their decision or within three months of the
418date of the application, whichever date is later. It shall be a condition of such appeal with respect
419to the annual general property tax that the asserted tax be paid, but no payment shall be required
420as a condition of such appeal with respect to any asserted conveyance tax or roll-back tax. If any
421payment of any tax imposed by this chapter should be made and as the result of any such
422modification or abatement by the board of assessors or decision by the appellate tax board it shall
423appear that any such tax has been overpaid, such excess payment shall be reimbursed by the 21 of 22
424treasurer with interest at the rate of six per cent per annum from time of payment. Collection of
425any conveyance or roll-back taxes, by sale or taking or otherwise, may be stayed by the appellate
426tax board while any such appeal is pending. Any partial payment of the asserted tax that may be
427required by the appellate tax board in connection with such tax shall not exceed one-half of the
428asserted tax.
429 Section 15: Certificate of amount of conveyance or roll-back tax
430 In connection with any proposed or completed sale or other transfer of any land which
431has been valued, assessed and taxed under the provisions of this chapter, the owner of record of
432the land may apply to the board of assessors for a certificate of the amount of conveyance tax
433and roll-back tax, if any, payable by reason of such sale or other transfer, or that no such tax is
434payable and stating the amount of any conveyance or roll-back taxes that are payable with
435respect to such land. Such certificate shall be provided to the applicant within twenty days after
436application therefor. Such certificate may be recorded with the registry of deeds, and upon such
437recording of such a certificate become payable, or a certificate by the collector of taxes that the
438amount of tax stated in such certificate of the board of assessors has been paid, all liens on such
439land for taxes under this chapter shall terminate, except that any liens for any roll-back taxes
440assessed by reason of land ceasing to qualify for valuation, assessment and taxation under this
441chapter after the date of such sale or other transfer, shall continue. In connection with the
442issuance of such a certificate, the board of assessors may rely upon their own records, affidavits
443and such other information as they may deem appropriate. The board of assessors shall charge
444six dollars for each certificate so issued, and the money so received shall be paid into the
445municipal treasury. 22 of 22
446 Section 16: Equalized valuation based on Urban Access use
447 In determining the equalization required by section nine of chapter fifty-eight, the
448commissioner of revenue shall determine the value of such land on the basis of its Urban Access
449use.
450 Section 17: Tax list of board of assessors; information required
451 The factual details to be shown on the tax list of a board of assessors with respect to land
452which is valued, assessed and taxed under this chapter shall be the same as those set forth by said
453board with respect to other taxable property in the same city.
454 Section 18: Rules and regulations; forms and procedures
455 The commissioner of revenue shall promulgate such rules and regulations and shall
456prescribe the use of such forms and procedures as he deems appropriate to and consistent with
457effectuation of the purposes of this chapter.