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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Board of Abatement - 07/23/2014BOARD OF ABATEMENT 23 JULY 2014 The South Burlington Board of Abatement held a meeting on Wednesday 23 July 2014, at 6:30 p.m., in the Conference Room, City Hall, 575 Dorset Street. Members Present: P. Taylor, Chair; H. Riehle, P. Nowak, C. Shaw, D. Kinville, B. Nowak, M. Emery, M. Sirotkin, M. Mahoney, A. Clift, P. Benner, P. Picard, Rep. A Pugh Also Present: M. Lyons, Assessor’s Office; C. & J. Soncrant 1. Agenda Review: No changes were made to the Agenda. 2. Comments & Questions from the public, not related to Agenda items: No issues were raised. 3. Approve Minutes of 12 September 2013: Ms. Nowak moved to approve the minutes of 12 September 2013 as written. Ms. Riehle seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 4. Hear Abatement Request from: Champ and Joanne Soncrant 310 S. Jefferson Road Mr. Taylor reviewed the seven reasons for abating taxes. Ms. Lyons then reviewed the location of the property which was purchased on 27 April 2013 by the Soncrants. Mr. Soncrant said they feel their request for abatement is the result of a “manifest error.” Tax notices went to everyone but them, and they were in touch with people trying to get their tax bill. Ms. Soncrant said they have paid taxes for 40 years and were told by S. D. Ireland that Ireland would get them the tax bill. When they finally got anything, it was a third delinquent notice. All the taxes have been paid. Ms. Picard asked why they didn’t call the assessor’s office. Mr. Soncrant said they were told by S. D. Ireland that they didn’t have to. Ms. Soncrant added they were told by Ireland that they were “part of a large parcel” and that their property would be “peeled off.” Ms. Lyons said the tax bill went to South Village Communities, who was the owner as of 1 April. She also noted that this situation happened to other people in that development. Tax bills went out and were never returned to the city. Ms. Lyons said she cannot, by state law, change the name of a property owner as of 1 April. Mr. Shaw asked if the city gets notified if there is a change of ownership. Ms. Lyons said if a property transfer tax isn’t filed, the city does not get notice. Mr. Taylor asked what would have happened if the tax bill had been returned to the city. Ms. Lyons said she would have researched the situation. BOARD OF ABATEMENT 23 JULY 2014 PAGE 2 Ms. Emery asked the Soncrants if they had contacted S. D. Ireland. Mr. Soncrant said Ireland directed them to Retrovest, the previous owner, but Retrovest “hung up on us.” Ms. Soncrant said they have never been able to track down the first two delinquent notices. Ms. Nowak said the problem seems to be with the development company, not the assessor’s office. She asked if Ireland is accepting any responsibility. Ms., Soncrant said they are not. They said it was the assessor’s problem. Mr. Mahoney said he would like to find a way to abate, but the manifest error is on the part of the developer, not the assessor. Mr. Soncrant said they assumed S. D. Ireland had paid the taxes and that their portion would be “peeled off” and billed to them. Ms. Riehle asked if the Soncrant’s had contacted the assessor could he have given them an amount. Ms. Lyons said yes, but she understood the Soncrant’s situation because they were told Ireland would take care of it. Mr. Benner then moved to close the hearing. Ms. Emery seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Ms. Nowak moved that the Board meet in deliberative session to discuss the appeal. Ms. Picard seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Board returned from deliberative session. 5. Discuss new open meeting law and posting of minutes: Ms. Kinville directed attention to the new agenda items that are now required. She noted that the city now posts all agendas. Minutes must be on the city’s website within 5 days of a meeting. Members discussed various ways of “streamlining” minutes, if necessary. Ms. Kinville noted that detailed minutes help with future research. 6. Other Business: No further issues were raised. As there was no further business to come before the Board, Ms. Nowak moved to adjourn. Ms. Picard seconded. Motion passed unanimously, and the meeting was adjourned at 7:45 p.m.