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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Board of Abatement - 12/06/2018BOARD OF ABATEMENT 6 DECEMBER 2018 The South Burlington Board of Abatement held a meeting on Thursday, 6 December 2018, at 7:00 p.m., in the Conference Room, Police Station, 19 Gregory Drive. MEMBERS PRESENT: P. Taylor, Chair; D. Kinville, P. Benner, C. Shaw, M. Mahoney, M. St. Germain, L. Vera, B. Nowak, T. Chittenden, M. Emery, T. Barritt, K. Nugent, A. Clift ALSO PRESENT: K. Bradish 1. Instructions on exiting building in case of emergency: Mr. Taylor provided instructions on emergency exit from the building. 2. Agenda Review: Additions, deletions or changes in order of Agenda items: No changes were made to the Agenda. 3. Comments & Questions from the public not related to the Agenda: There were no public comments or questions. 4. Approve Minutes from 26 October 2018: Mr. Taylor noted a typo on p. 2 under section “b” where the word “he” should read “her.” Mr. Shaw moved to approve the minutes with the above correction. Ms. Vera seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 5. Hear Abatement Requests: a. Karen Bradish & Doug Larson Estate ………………… 165 Twin Oaks Ms. Kinville distributed the property tax bill for the property and noted that Martha Lyons from the Assessor’s Office was unable to attend due to illness. There are currently no delinquent taxes on the property. Ms. Bradish advised that her family has been paying the taxes and had given her a year following the death of Mr. Larson. Since Mr. Larson’s death, Ms. Bradish indicated that she has been living on half of their previous income. She has no health or homeowner’s insurance and was not entitled to Social Security BOARD OF ABATEMENT 6 DECEMBER 2018 PAGE 2 because she and Mr. Larson had never married. The condo at 165 Twin Oaks was gifted to her by her father. Mr. Taylor noted that the property is assessed at $157,200. Ms. Bradish said there is no mortgage. Ms. Bradish said the family will pay the March tax bill, but after that she will be on her own. She also enumerated some electrical problems in the house which she cannot afford to address. Mr. Taylor explained that she can go to Martha Lyons office to get help with the homestead exemption form which can significantly result in a much lower tax bill for next year. Mr. Barritt said the tax bill would be scaled to the owner’s income. Ms. Vera noted that there are other programs that can help with other issues. Ms. Kinville suggested Ms. Bradish call 211 to get an advocate who can help her. Ms. Vera then moved that the Board meet in deliberative session. Mr. Benner seconded. Motion passed unanimously. b. Jessica Kastner 31 Greening Ave Following the deliberative session, Ms. Kinville noted that she had spoken with the other abatement applicant, Jessica Kastner who had not picked up the registered letter regarding the hearing and was not prepared for tonight’s meeting. She has asked to be heard at the next Board of Abatement meeting. Mr. Mahoney moved to continue the appeal of Jessica Kastner until the next Board of Abatement meeting to be scheduled. Mr. Barritt seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Mr. Taylor said the Board can possibly schedule a meeting in February. As there was no further business to come before the Board, Mr. Mahoney moved to adjourn. Mr. Barritt seconded. Motion passed unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 7:36 p.m. _____________________________, Clerk