They are not peasants, as such things likely don't exist in modern Italy. So how can they owe anything?
The Swiss baron's descendants - are they still barons? Can they still hold a fief?
Perhaps the Swiss baron's lord can be convinced to levy a similar tax on them, and return the money to the town.
It's very interesting.
Apparently, the land owner has no obligations, but the lease-holder instead is bound to pay an annual canon and "improve the land", whatever that means, perpetually.
This happens in many other places in Italy. One example that comes to mind is a part of the money collected from fishing permits on Lake Maggiore (tragically famous lately for the Stress cabin disaster) going to the pockets of an aristocratic family who "owns" the lake and the fishing rights.
Disgusting to say the least, but that's law.
And I do note that there's obligation to the Baron's lord. Doing an appeal there is another route.
Unfortunately, they did, now cometh with your militia and collect your taxes.
Because the only alternative in this case is the outright theft.
>"there is no implied right or obligation of any sort."
Sorry but there is implied obligation. I totally expect to get some services in return for money taken from me and I suspect I am not alone. For experiment try sending part of government that does actual services for constituents for a year long vacation and see what happens.