LONGMEADOW - The Longmeadow Select Board has been discussing ways to increase the town's tax base.  Recently development of non-buildable and infill lots have been the topic of discussion.

“Some lots in town are similar in size to other lots but they aren’t buildable because of our laws,” Town Manager Stephen Crane said.

The town is looking into developing a mechanism so that the infill lots can be developed in neighborhoods.  This would be done through the strengthening of Longmeadow’s bylaws.

An additional issue that certain lots present is that at times non-buildable lots are owned and not maintained, and taxes aren’t being paid, according to Crane.  While the town has limited new growth, Crane said that though there are not enough lots to make a significant tax improvement, the little changes could build up.

"Members of the Planning Board and Zoning Board of Appeals, as well as Town Council and the Building Commissioner, are working together to address areas of our bylaws that may lack clarity.  The goal of the working group is to make sure the bylaws protect the town's quality of life while giving residents the opportunity to make improvements to their properties," Crane said.