Quote:
Originally Posted by ARV
Why blame the Select Board for Vision's doing? No matter what assessing company the town decides to hire, there are going to be problems and someone will not be happy. Obviously, the Select Board's hands are tied and it sounds like they are doing the best they can to assist homeowners in getting their questions answered/problems resolved. Oh yes, it's the Select Board's fault that the folks at Vision Appraisal would not lower the assessment. That's logical
Next, I am happy to see that the post did not turn into an SB2 rant. SB2 lost 2 years in a row (enough said).
Lastly, and I know this will cause a stir, if you really have a problem with your property assessments and bills, you always have the right to move elsewhere - with higher taxes.
|
I watched the video and also read the
minutes of the meeting and I think that the selectmen did the right thing by suggesting that the property owner take his appeal to the BTLA.
Selectmen from any community are not experts at assessing property and they have to depend on who they hire to do the job.
If you don’t want to watch the video, below are minutes of the abatement appeal by the property owner:
Brad Wolff, 2008 Abatement Appeal: Mr. Wolff addressed the Selectmen, reminding
them that he last appeared before them on July 2, 2009 regarding his denied abatement
application and the BTLA’s requirement that he request a Settlement Meeting with the
Town’s Assessor which occurred. Karel acknowledged that the Board reviewed the letter
sent by Brownie Jones, the Assessor to the Wolffs, with the Town’s counter proposal of
assessed value of $332,600, although Brownie still supports the original assessed value of
$344,800. Karel stated that the Board was also aware that the proposal was not
satisfactory to the Wollfs. Karel stated that she supports the Assessor’s counter
proposal. She added that if the Board agrees, the next step for Mr. and Mrs. Wolff is to
proceed with their appeal to the Board of Tax and Land Appeals at the original assessed
value of $344,800. Mr. Wolff stated that he was of the same understanding. He
explained that he feels the value should be lower than $332,600. He cited that the 2009
assessed value was an increase of 10% and based on his research of properties that he
feels are comparable, the assessment should be $312,600. Mr. Wolff added that the
Assessor’s letter did not provide him with any reason to support the proposed value of
$332,600. Betsey stated that she supports the Assessor’s decision and Mr. Wolff’s next
step is to make his appeal to the BTLA. Jim commented that he agrees, adding that he
supports the Assessor’s decision, and doesn’t feel qualified to change the assessed value.
By Consensus the Board agreed that the 2009 assessed value for property owned by
Bradley and Karel Wolff, Map 107 Lot 043 is $344,800.