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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Board of Civil Authority - 09/16/2021BOARD OF CIVIL AUTHORITY 16 SEPTEMBER 2021 The South Burlington Board of Civil Authority held a meeting on Thursday, 16 September 2021, at 6 p.m., in the Conference Room, City Hall, 180 Market Street. Members Present: C. Shaw, Chair; D. Kinville, B. Nowak, H. Riehle, M. Emery, Sen. T. Chittenden, B. Gross, A. Gross, C. Trombly, C. Wagner Also Present: M. Lyons, J. Henning 1. Review evacuation plans in case of an emergency. Ms. Kinville reviewed emergency plans. Mr. Shaw noted that the wearing of masks is encouraged in City Hall. 2. Comments and questions from the public not related to the agenda: No comments or questions were presented. 3. Any change to the order of the agenda: No changes were made to the agenda. 4. Approve Minutes from 11 September 2021: It was noted that in the AM meeting Ms. Riehle was not present. It was noted that in the PM meeting Ms. Wagner was not present. In the same minutes the spelling of Mr. & Mrs. Gross’s name was corrected. Mr. Gross moved to approve the minutes of 11 September 2021 as amended. Ms. Gross seconded. Motion passed with all present voting in favor. 5. Hear Appeal from: a. John Henning 103 Old Farm Road Mr. Shaw explained the appeal process. Ms. Kinville then administered the Oath to Board members. Mr. Henning said that if the property was in shipshape, the assessment would be fair, but it far from shipshape. The house was built in 1950 as a “contemporary.” It is “quirky.” It is built on a ledge, and part of the house sits on the ledge. There is also a non-traditional mound sceptic system which can be serviced by only one person in the state. There is a city water on a shared system. The basement is unfinished. Mr. Henning said the sceptic system is a “devaluer.” They keep it serviced, but they still get issues in the basement. The detached garage also needs a makeover. The floors were trashed by dogs. The entrance steps have sunk and could be dangerous in the snow. The exterior lighting is 70 years old. The lot is gorgeous. BOARD OF CIVIL AUTHORITY 16 SEPTEMBER 2021 PAGE 2 The former appraisal was $358,800. It is now appraised at $539,000. Mr. Henning though a fair appraisal would be $460,000. He noted that the house next door, which is in pristine condition, sold for about $525,000. Ms. Lyons said that #51 Old Farm Rd. sold in January, 2020 for a time adjusted price of $754,000. It has more acreage but is close in square footage. #75 sold in June 2020 for a time- adjusted price of $553,779. It is close in acreage but has a partly finished basement. Ms. Lyons noted the Henning property is listed as average/good, and that is something the inspection team can look at to see if it is closer to average. Mr. Lyons noted that #75 is in pristine condition, and there is no way he could get that price for his home. He noted that everything in his house was done by “getting around the rules.” A subfloor is actually built on a rock. He also noted the square footage is wrong on the card. It is 3028, not 4600. The listed basement square footage of 675 is also off and should be more like 225. Mr. Nowak asked if Mr. Henning is aware of any restrictions from the city as to what would happen if there is a problem maintaining the sceptic system. Mr. Henning said the man who services says he can keep it going. He added he didn’t know what he would do if the system failed. Ms. Kinville explained that Ms. Lyons can remeasure the property after tomorrow’s meeting. If corrections are made, an inspection team may not be needed if Mr. Henning is satisfied with the new assessment. The hearing was then closed and an inspection team of Mr. Shaw, Mr. Trombly and Ms. Riehle was assigned to view the property on 24 September at 9 a.m. The appeal was then continued to 7 October 2021, at 6 p.m. 6. Hear Inspection Reports from 11 September hearings: a. Patricia Williams G-1 Stonehedge BOARD OF CIVIL AUTHORITY 16 SEPTEMBER 2021 PAGE 3 Mr. Emery reported there are no discrepancies with the lister’s card. The house is in good condition. The basement is partly finished but “awkward.” There is a heat pump. There are nice hardwoods on the first floor. A second floor closet has a sink in it. b. Valerie Spadacini 91 Twin Oaks Terrace Mr. Trombly reported the house in in average condition. The lister’s card says there are 3 porches, but one is actually a “stoop.” c. Marilyn Machia 703 Dorset Street Mr. Trombly reported the house is in average condition on the first floor. The basement is unfinished and there is evidence of a lack of maintenance. There is a detached shed on the property with a dirt floor. Outside the house, it is noticeably loud from traffic noise. The house had been listed in average condition. The team felt it should be listed as fair condition. d. Richard & Mary Hulette 82 Economou Farm Road Mr. Trombly reported that the house has 3 levels. There is no evidence of deferred maintenance. The quality is average/good. The basement is not finished. There are no discrepancies with the card. e. Lynn Miller 107 South Beach Drive Mr. Nowak reported that the lister’s card says this is an end unit. It is not. The unit is well- maintained, and the kitchen has been redone. The original floors are in good condition. The team felt the house was in better than average condition. f. Charles Cramer & P. Galinski 604 South Beach Drive g. Lyn Romagnoli & P. Cassidy 605 South Beach Drive Mr. Nowak said both units are interior units with the same footprint. #604 has no apparent upgrades. #605 had some superficial upgrades. They still show their age. The city had modified the appraisal from $540,000 to $442,000 on both units. BOARD OF CIVIL AUTHORITY 16 SEPTEMBER 2021 PAGE 4 h. Jason Eltman 805 Nowland Farm Road Mr. Gross said there were no discrepancies with the card. The house has the same lot size as others on the street. It is adjacent to the Vermont National Golf Course and has beautiful views. It is architecturally unique. The interior is in very good condition, much of it due to recent work. It has a new roof, and the front porch was replaced with windows. The back porch is showing its age. The team felt it was the second nicest of the homes on that road. 7. Open hearings and continue to a date certain for: Barb Servis 24 Arbor Road Clare & Sam Wool 51 Van Sicklen Mark Kirkpatrick 199 Economou Farm Rd. Joe & Julie Patrissi 56 Economou Farm Rd. Mike Patane & Elaine Bodette 20 Southview Jean Fahrenbach 406 South Beach Road Nancy & Bill Jacobs` 130 Economou Farm Rd. Todd Ciardelli 25 Baldwin Ave. Edward Delfoe 161 Economou Farm Rd. Brett Grabowski 112 Springhouse Rd. Lucille Lacount 201 Economou Farm Rd. Adis & Emina Seferagic 7 Floral Drive Peter Smejkal 12 Oak Creek Dr. Ms. Kinville explained that the hearings legally need to be opened so they can be heard at a later date. She recommended setting that date at 16 October. Ms. Riehle then moved to open the hearings for the above this of appellants and to set a hearing date of 16 October for all of those appeals. Ms. Gross seconded. Motion passed with all present voting in favor. 8. Enter into deliberative session to make assessment decisions (not open to the public): Ms. Riehle moved that the Board meet in deliberative session to make assessment decisions. Mr. Gross seconded. Motion passed with all present voting in favor. BOARD OF CIVIL AUTHORITY 16 SEPTEMBER 2021 PAGE 5 Following the deliberative session, Ms. Kinville reported that the inspection of the Henning property will not be needed as the corrections to square footage were made and Mr. Henning is accepting the new assessment and had withdrawn his appeal. 9. Other Business: No other business was presented. As there was no further business to come before the Board, Mr. Gross moved to adjourn. Sen. Chittenden seconded. The meeting was adjourned at 8:00 p.m. __________________________ Clerk