State Auditor Bump Calls for Change in PILOT Program
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Athol Daily News - Local, state officials talk disproportionate impact of PILOT programs on Western Mass communities
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Local, state officials talk disproportionate impact of PILOT programs on Western Mass. communities >State Auditor Suzanne Bump met with state Sen. Adam Hinds, D-Pittsfield, Rep. Natalie Blais, D-Sunderland, and Rep. Susannah Whipps I-Athol, and town officials atop Mount Sugarloaf on Friday morning. Staff Photo/Paul Franz >State Auditor Suzanne Bump met with local legislators and town officials atop Mount Sugarloaf on Friday morning. Staff Photo/Paul Franz >The view south from Mount Sugarloaf on Friday morning. State Rep. Natalie Blais said, pointing out to the valley below Mount Sugarloaf, “We are protecting these views, we are protecting this land, but at the expense of our communities.” Staff Photo/Paul Franz
The commonwealth of Massachusetts owns a lot of land in Berkshire County, including this tract in the Florida State Forest. A push is underway to reform how the state compensates cities and towns for land it owns that is exempt from property taxes. The current system deprives small communities in western Massachusetts from their fair share of state financial support. LARRY PARNASS â THE BERKSHIRE EAGLE
Communities with large tracts of state land are being stiffed financially. Thatâs what a top Massachusetts official thinks â and sheâs coming out Friday to say it again.
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âThe formula is not fair to the small, rural towns. Itâs totally unfair, whatâs happening.