|
|
|
|
Moore sends letters to Speaker DiMasi and
House Ways and Means Chair DeLeo urging swift passage of Bernat
Mill relief legislation
September 5, 2007...Sen. Richard T. Moore, today, sent letters to Massachusetts House Speaker Salvatore F. DiMasi, D-Boston, and House Ways and Means Chairman Robert A. DeLeo, D-Winthrop, urging swift action on legislation to help the town and affected business owners recover from the devastating fire that destroyed the Bernat Mill Complex on July 21, 2007. The bill, An Act Protecting the Commonwealth from Natural Disasters or Emergencies that Threaten the Public Health or Safety of its Citizens, was filed in July by Governor Deval Patrick, Sen. Moore and Reps. Paul Kujawski, D-Webster, and Jennifer Callahan, D-Sutton. It was referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means on July 26, 2007. The purpose of the senator's letter was to impress upon the House leaders the importance of moving this bill to the full House for a vote as soon as possible so that much-needed funds can be released. "As you know, on Saturday, July 21, 2007, an eight-alarm fire destroyed much of the Bernat Mill in the town of Uxbridge, displacing over 60 small businesses and placing considerable financial strain on these business owners and the town," Moore wrote. "As part of the state’s on going response to this disaster, Governor Patrick filed legislation in July, House Bill 4182, An Act Protecting the Commonwealth from Natural Disasters or Emergencies that Threaten the Public Health or Safety of its Citizens." The bill would do two things. First, it provides tax relief to affected Uxbridge taxpayers by setting the value of the real and personal property for tax purposes as the value immediately after the fire. For the businesses that lost all otherwise taxable property, the bill effectively exempts them from fiscal year 2008 taxes. Property owners who already made their first quarter payment will get a refund, and only the land will be taxed at the Uxbridge Mill. Moore noted that he has also requested that $35,000 be appropriated to reimburse the town for the cost of these tax abatements. The legislation also amends an outside section in the fiscal year 2008 budget, authorizing the expenditure of so-called “Katrina funds” to provide funds for cities and towns, like Uxbridge, that are faced with a sudden disaster that requires a swift governmental response to help to protect the public health or safety of the citizens of the Commonwealth. "I am writing to convey my strongest possible support for this legislation and respectfully request that the Committee on House Ways and Means move it quickly to the floor of the House for a full vote," Moore said in his letters. |
 |
|
