REAL ESTATE APPEALS
Monday, March 12, 2018
4:00 p.m.
TOWN HALL HEARING ROOM
Present: Greg Stackpole, Chairman, Rick Miller, Margi Esten, Joanne Perlman, Alternate (4:12 p.m.), Charles Bachmann, Alternate (4:15 p.m.)
The meeting was called to order at 4:05 p.m.
The purpose of the meeting was to hear appeals of property assessments for the 2017 Grand List.
The Board heard the following 12 appeals:
110 Mountain Road
Total Assessment $858,280
Appellant’s Opinion of Fair Market Value on October 1, 2017 $985,000
Appellant indicates there has been no change to the house, and while the assessment on the land has decreased, the assessment on the house has increased. Appellant feels that the house assessment should have remained the same as the previous valuation.
56 Portland Avenue
Total Assessment $188,900
Appellant’s Opinion of Fair Market Value on October 1, 2017 $225,000
Appellant furnished comparable data and photos of the property. Appellant noted that there has not been any changes to the property and it does not have the amenities or upgrades that other units have on Portland Avenue. The property was purchased in 2005 and has the original appliances.
88 Portland Avenue
Total Assessment $294,600
Appellant’s Opinion of Fair Market Value on October 1, 2017 $340,000
Appellant indicates that nothing has changed on the property to warrant an increase. Appellant provided data that shows all assessments on Cross Highway, Deacon Abbott and Wood Road have decreased with the current valuation while all of the assessments on Portland Avenue have increased.
80 Sport Hill Road
Total Assessment $119,600
Appellant’s Opinion of Fair Market Value on October 1, 2017 $70,000
Appellant noted that the property is a vacant lot of land with wetlands. There are no approvals on the lot but it is buildable.
23 Indian Hill Road
Total Assessment $503,360
Appellant’s Opinion of Fair Market Value on October 1, 2017 $600,000
Appellant indicated that the valuation in 2012 was challenged in court with a resulting reduced FMV of $660,000. There have been no changes in the house or property to warrant an increase in the 2017 revaluation. An appraisal dated October 1, 2017 was furnished with a FMV of $590,000.
21 Sunnyview Drive
Total Assessment $423,600
Appellant’s Opinion of Fair Market Value on October 1, 2017 $560,000
Appellant indicated that the house is over-valued and provided three comparable listings that are of better grade near the property. It is all original and the air conditioning has failed and not been replaced.
31 Sunnyview Drive
Total Assessment $631,500
Appellant’s Opinion of Fair Market Value on October 1, 2017 $863,000
Appellant provided comparables with more square footage and more acreage that are assessed lower than the subject property.
17 Werf Drive
Total Assessment $403,700
Appellant’s Opinion of Fair Market Value on October 1, 2017 $450,000
Appellant indicated that there are incorrect entries on field card: Attic over garage does not exist, playroom over garage is just an unfinished space. Photos of the unfinished areas were provided. Appellant feels that the assessment is not in line with the neighboring properties. Board member will make site visit.
56 Wood Road
Total Assessment $298,400
Appellant’s Opinion of Fair Market Value on October 1, 2017 $398,000
Appellant indicated that the building on the property has been under construction and is not complete. The photo on the field card is incorrect and misleading. There has been no construction work on the building in 12 years. Photos of the property were provided to the Board members. There is a septic installed but no well.
The Board entered deliberative session at 6:35 p.m.
41 Drummer Lane
Total Assessment $322,800
New Assessment $318,100
MOTION: Made by Mr. Stackpole, seconded by Mr. Bachmann to reduce the finished basement area from 1,112 to 884 square feet and change quality from 4 to 3 and value accordingly. Carried unanimous.
56 Wood Road
Total Assessment $298,400
New Assessment $281,700
MOTION: Made by Mr. Stackpole, seconded by Mr. Bachmann to change grade from B to B- and value accordingly. Carried unanimous.
21 Sunnyview Drive
Total Assessment $423,600
New Assessment $414,800
MOTION: Made by Mr. Stackpole, seconded by Mr. Bachmann to change the condition from good to average and value accordingly. Carried unanimous.
The Board exited deliberative session at 7:05 p.m.
98 Picketts Ridge Road
Total Assessment $585,300
Appellant’s Opinion of Fair Market Value on October 1, 2017 $725,000
Appellant indicated the basement was not finished. Photos and market comparables were furnished.
102 Picketts Ridge Road
Total Assessment $337,200
Appellant’s Opinion of Fair Market Value on October 1, 2017 $450,000
Appellant provided map and photos of the property to show the significant wetlands on the property. The land assessment not in line with adjacent properties that are flat, dry and developable and do not have the challenges that the subject property have.
16 Winding Brook Lane
Total Assessment $365,200
Appellant’s Opinion of Fair Market Value on October 1, 2017 $480,000
Appellant noted that while the subject property assessment has increased 5.8% similar properties in the area have decreased 2.7% to 5.1%. Nothing has been done to the property except for routine maintenance and minor updates to the kitchen.
A motion to adjourn was made, seconded and carried unanimously at 7:32 p.m.
Submitted by Krista Gramer, 3/14/18
Minutes not approved by BAA.