Should minor condo unit projects require special assessment fees?

All condo owners in my Massachusetts Condo Association were recently charged a Special Assessment Fee of $35.00. This charge was to cover the expense of placing a plastic cage over dryer vents, and was labeled ‘bird mitigation’. The total collected was $2500.00.

It is my understanding that Special Assessments are for Capital Improvements, not for small projects that can easily be paid for through regular funds. As well, I was told by a Board member that the main reason for the charge was to ‘get even’ with another condo owner who had called the Board of Health because her neighboring condo unit was placing bird seed all over the floor of his patio.

Our Annual Meeting is coming up soon, and I would like to bring up a possible refund on this ridiculous charge. I’ve researched this on my own, but can’t seem to locate the rule on when assessments can be made, so am asking for help in this matter. Thank you in advance.