Franklin: Council considers farm tax exemption

[unhappycamper]

http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20150802/NEWS/150809541

Franklin: Council considers farm tax exemption
By Matt Tota/Daily News Staff
Posted Aug. 2, 2015 at 6:46 PM

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Under state law, the town could levy a tax against “persons principally engaged in agriculture.” Their farm animals and equipment would be taxed $5 per $1,000 of assessed value, according to the Board of Assessors.

However, the town has not recorded the value of a farmer’s wares and beasts since 1990, so the tax has not been imposed. It was believed that the town opted to remove the tax, but did not go through the proper procedure. Now, a townwide vote is needed to make it official.

The Board of Assessors suggested putting the question on the Nov. 3 ballot, saying the revenue that would result from the tax is minimal. The measure would read: “Do you approve of not imposing the excise tax established by G.L. Chapter 59, Section 8A, on any person engaged principally in agriculture who owns farm machinery and equipment or farm animals?”

If the ballot measure is not passed, the Board of Assessors would have to start again collecting information from farmers, and the tax would return. In a memo, the board said the work to levy the tax would end up costing more than the revenue produced.