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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDraft Minutes - Board of Abatement - 01/28/2020 BOARD OF ABATEMENT 28 JANUARY 2020 The South Burlington Board of Abatement held a meeting on Tuesday, 28 January 2020, at 6:00 p.m., in the Conference Room, City Hall, 575 Dorset Street. MEMBERS PRESENT: C. Shaw, Chair; P. Taylor, D. Kinville, M. Mahoney, L. Vera, A. Milot, J. Abata, S. Hutchins, Sen. M. Sirotkin, B. Nowak, M. Emery, T. Chittenden, A. & M. Gross, M. St. Germain ALSO PRESENT: M. Lyons, Assessor’s Office; F. Bariyajaan 1. Instructions on Exiting Building in Case of Emergency: Ms. Kinville provided instructions on exiting the building in an emergency. 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: No issues were raised. 4. Approve Minutes from 30 May 2019: Ms. Emery moved to approve the Minutes of 30 May 2019 as presented. Mr. Gross seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 5. Hear Abatement Requests: a. Gabriel ………………………………… 370 Farrell Street, #115 Ms. Gabriel was not present. b. Basha ………………………………….. 27 Vale Drive Ms. Bariyajaan noted that until this year, she and her husband had been current with property taxes. Recent family issues have resulted in her husband, who is now retired, being in India. BOARD OF ABATEMENT 28 JANUARY 2020 PAGE 2 Ms. Lyons noted that some of this year’s taxes have been paid ($2,000 of the $10,902.30), and attempt has been made to stay current. No state payment is received. There is a penalty of $170.73 for November, and interest is $21.34 per month. Ms. Bariyajaan said she is the only household member working. She felt that if the current year’s taxes were abated, she could stay current from 1 July 2020. Ms. Lyons said the house is assessed at $575,000 but has a market value of $508,000. There are 2 vehicles, one valued at $6500, the other at $7500. The gross monthly income is $2000 with $1200 in monthly expenses. Ms. Bariyajaan said that a son who now lives in California used to help but doesn’t anymore. The sons paid off the mortgage on the house. Ms. Milot suggested a home equity loan which would have a low interest rate, lower than the monthly rate on the overdue taxes. Ms. Bariyajaan said they are trying to stay out of debt so they can go on a pilgrimage. Ms. Milot suggested selling the home and downsizing. Ms. Bariyajaan said they are planning to do that, but there will be family coming from India soon, and they don’t want to move yet. Ms. Lyons noted that since only one of them is working, next year they can get a State payment. They couldn’t do that this year because of an accident settlement. The current amount due is $6000 plus what will be due in March ($3600). Ms. Vera also suggested a home equity loan with very low interest payments. Mr. Gross added that the interest on the bank loan could be deducted from their taxes. No other information was presented. Mr. Taylor moved to close the hearing. Mr. Nowak seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Members agreed to consider the other two applicants even though they were not present. Mr. Mahoney moved to open the Gabriel hearing. Ms. Emery seconded. Motion passed unanimously. BOARD OF ABATEMENT 28 JANUARY 2020 PAGE 3 Ms. Lyons noted the property is assessed at $186,800. They are current with taxes, but have had issues with the State and have been negotiating with them. No State payment was received for 2017 or 2018. They did get a State payment for 2019 and are current with taxes. Ms. Lyons said the applicant was told the city could not get involved in that negotiation as this is a state issue. The total taxes for 2017 and 2018 were $3907.11 which were paid by Ms. Gabriel’s ex-husband. There was a penalty of $307.71 and accumulated interest of $359.50. Mr. Taylor moved to close the hearing. Mr. Gross seconded. Motion passed unanimously. c. Dowling ………………………. 370 Farrell Street, #308 Mr. Mahoney moved to open the hearing. Mr. Gross seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Ms. Lyons noted that Ms. Dowling’s husband has Alzheimer’s. There is now a payment plan with the city, and payments are being made. $3,243.44 remains to be paid for 2018-19 which includes at $317.00 penalty and $13 interest per month. The current August payment was made but not the November payment of $1,241.97, which includes at $99.36 penalty and interest at $12.42 per month. Ms. Lyons noted that Ms. Dowling is trying to work with the State. Sen. Sirotkin noted that there is an office of Tax Payer Advocacy available. Ms. Milot added that an ombudsman might be able to help because of the husband’s condition. Mr. Taylor moved to close the hearing. Mr. Gross seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Ms. Emery then moved to enter deliberative session. Mr. Mahoney seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 6. Other Business: No other issues were presented. As there was no further business, the meeting was adjourned by common consent at 7:15 p.m. ___________________________, Clerk