HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Board of Abatement - 02/19/2015
BOARD OF ABATEMENT 19 FEBRUARY 2015
The South Burlington Board of Abatement held a meeting on Thursday, 19 February 2015, at
6:00 p.m., in the Conference Room, City Hall, 575 Dorset Street.
MEMBERS PRESENT – P. Taylor, Chair; D. Kinville, H. Riehle, B. Burgess, K. Burgess, B. Nowak, T.
Harrington, A. Clift, L. Vera, M. M. Emery, M. Mahoney, C. Bolton
ALSO PRESENT – M. Lyons, Assessor’s Office; K. Klaff, H. Klaff
1. Agenda Review: Additions, deletions or changes in order of agenda items:
No changes were made to the Agenda.
2. Comments & Questions from the public not related to Agenda items:
No issues were raised.
3. Election of Officers:
Mr. Burgess nominated Mr. Taylor for Chair of the Board of Abatement. Ms. Emery seconded.
There were no further nominations, and Mr. Taylor was elected unanimously.
Mr. Bolton nominated Patrick Benner for Vice Chair. Ms. Clift seconded. There were no further
nominations, and Mr. Benner was elected unanimously,.
4. Approve Minutes from October 22, 2014:
Ms. Vera moved to approve the Minutes of 22 October 2014 as written. Ms. Emery seconded.
Motion passed unanimously.
5. Hear abatement request from:
Katherine Klaff – 8 Timberlane #12
Ms. Lyons described the property as a townhouse with an assessed value of $160,400. It was
purchased by Ms. Klaff in August of 2010.
Ms. Lyons noted that there is no indication of a state payment toward the property tax for the
year 2013-2014, although a homestead declaration was filed. She said that this cannot be
applied for retroactively.
Ms. Klaff handed out a packet of information for each board member which contained a letter
from her son and a completed financial form (433-A) that was sent to her from the Board. Ms.
Klaff said she has gotten some support from her son. She gets disability and also has a small
pension. She does earn some money when she is able to work (about $6,000/year). She has a
BOARD OF ABATEMENT, 19 FEBRUARY 2015, PAGE 2
2004 car with no debt. She pays $300/month for a Medicare supplement but still has to pay for
some prescriptions. She is paying off two credit cards at $200/month (debts run up by her late
husband).
Mr. Taylor asked if they had talked with the City Attorney regarding a payment plan. Ms. Lyons
said they had told her they wanted to go to the Board of Abatement first.
Ms. Klaff noted that her son has the next tax payment ready. He and his sister have taken over
her financial guardianship. Ms. Lyons noted they paid the November property tax installment
on time.
The total amount owed is $4,600.67, and the request is to abate that amount.
Mr. Bolton questioned whether it is possible for the appellant to sign a note for the amount due
and put it at a time when the house is sold.
Ms. Riehle then moved that the Board meet in deliberative session. Mr. Burgess seconded.
Motion passed unanimously.
Following the deliberative sessions, Mr. Nowak suggested the Board ask the City Attorney to
explain the legality of putting a lien on property so the city can recoup funds upon sale of a
property. Members directed the chair to invite the City Attorney to discuss this and other
issues.
6. Discuss setting two meetings a year or as requests are received:
Ms. Kinville said that setting two meeting dates a year would make it easier for the people
asking for an abatement. It’s now hard to tell an appellant when an appeal will be heard
because there is no telling when a quorum of Board members will be available.
Members raised the question of whether interest on delinquent taxes that have been appealed
can be suspended until the Board meeting date.
Ms. Clift moved to consider setting two regular meeting dates per year. Mr. Mahoney
seconded. The motion passed 11-1 with Mr. Burgess opposing. Mr. Taylor said he would send
members a letter indicating two suggested meetings dates a year.
As there was no further business to come before the Board, Ms. Emery moved to adjourn. Ms.
Riehle seconded. Motion passed unanimously, and the meeting was adjourned at 7:25 p.m.
______________________________, Clerk