Editor’s note: This letter, written by the parking lot’s owner, is in response to this story.
Yes, the Town of Farmington did try to reimburse the property tax money. However, because we could not agree on the validity of the agreement, the tax money was returned. And this year, when I waited to pay the tax bill because we were negotiating a new solution the town issued a Notice of Lien on the property. Since then I have paid the tax bill plus interest so that the town would not foreclose on the property.
Also here are a few obligations that UMF and the Town of Farmington did not live up to: First is that no property tax will be assessed; this is unconstitutional. The town cannot refrain from assessing a municipal property tax. Next the Agreement & Provisions needed to be ratified by the town voters. The residents voted against ratification at a special town meeting earlier this year.
Also, the town has to light the lot, this has never been done. The surface is to be maintained to ensure that it is flat, well drained and uniformly paved to a condition satisfactory to the owner. And one other thing, UMF and the town have never paid $1 a year. I hope this will help everyone understand why I feel the agreement is not valid.
I intend to keep this lot a parking lot and I am working with some property owners for a solution.
Greg Roux
Farmington
