HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Board of Civil Authority - 12/18/2019
BOARD OF CIVIL AUTHORITY 18 DECEMBER 2019
The South Burlington Board of Civil Authority held a meeting on 18 December 2019, at 6:30
p.m., in the Conference Room, City Hall, 575 Dorset Street.
Members Present: C. Shaw, Chair; D. Kinville, P. Taylor, H. Riehle, M. Emery, T. Barritt, B. Gross,
A. Gross, L. Vera, S. Hutchins, P. Mahoney, J. Abate, K. Nugent, A. Milot-Downing
Also Present:
1. Agenda Review: Additions, deletions, or changes in the order of Agenda items:
Ms. Kinville asked to add the swearing in of new JPs to Agenda item #5.
2. Review evacuation plans in case of an emergency.
Mr. Shaw reviewed emergency plans.
3. Comments and questions from the public not related to the agenda:
No comments or questions were presented.
4. Approve Minutes from 30 May 2019:
Ms. Vera moved to approve the Minutes of 30 May 2019 as written. Ms. Riehle seconded.
Motion passed unanimously.
5. Welcome New Justices of the Peace and Review of Duties:
The Board welcomed new Justices Joanna Abate, Albert Gross, Barbara Gross, and Steve
Hutchins.
Ms. Kinville administered the Oaths of Office to the new Justices of the Peace.
Mr. Shaw noted the new Justices are members of the Board of Civil Authority and the Board of
Abatement. He then stressed that the most important duty of the BCA is to oversee city
elections. There will be three elections in 2020, the local city and presidential primary on 3
March, the state primary on 11 August, and the national election on 3 November.
The BCA also hears grievance on assessed home values. Ms. Kinville explained the review
process including visits by a team of three member to the properties being grieved.
Mr. Shaw felt the with the upcoming city-wide reappraisal, the BCA can probably look forward
to a number of appeals in 2022.
Mr. Taylor noted that the BCA needs only 3 members present to make a decision, but the aim is
to have as many people as possible in attendance.
BOARD OF CIVIL AUTHORITY
18 DECEMBER 2019
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Mr. Shaw then reviewed the duties of the Board of Abatement (BofA) which hears requests for
tax relief (possibly due to a fire which destroyed a property or to financial need). These are
frequently hard decisions to make.
Ms. Vera noted that Justices can also perform marriages. Justices can charge for this service.
$50.00 is the norm. Mr. Shaw added that marriages can be performed all over the state, not
only in South Burlington.
Justices can also be Notaries for which they have to apply through the Secretary of State’s
office. There is no charge for this. Ms. Kinville has the forms for this.
Mr. Taylor said the Board has been very apolitical, and he was pleased with this. Republicans
and Democrats attend functions together, etc.
There will be a BCA meeting prior to the March election as well as a BofA meeting with three
possible abatement requests. Mr. Shaw felt these should be separate meetings. Mr. Taylor
reminded members that 11 members are needed for the Board of Abatement meeting.
Members will be polled to see which dates will work.
6. Other Business:
No other business was presented.
As there was no further business to come before the Board, Mr. Mahoney moved to adjourn.
Mr. Gross seconded. The meeting was adjourned at 7:30 p.m.
_______________________________
Clerk