GEORGETOWN, MA – Sand mining at the 100-year-old Zibell Farm has led to a property tax change.
The Board of Assessors ruled last week that the 5 acres of the 30-acre property no longer qualify for reduced farm taxes, saying the land was converted into a sand and gravel quarry. Taxes will be recalculated for the past five years, and new lien filings must be made.
The board informed property
owner Mary Potter last week that “As a result of the conversion of 5 acres of productive cropland held in Chapter 61A to an industrial sand and gravel quarry,” it no longer qualifies as of May for the lower property taxes assessed agricultural land.
The remaining acreage of the farm was not affected by the ruling.
Farm manager Todd Champlain has been selling sand in 5-acre parcels, with plans to refill the pits and turn them into organic farmland. The town maintains that the exportation of sand violated local bylaws and required a special permit for excavation.
Neighbors are split. Some complain of noise, vibrations and heavy truck traffic, while others support the farm. Planning Board members say they have never seen a case like this. ♦
