TOWN OF REDDING
BOARD OF ASSESSMENT APPEALS
REAL ESTATE APPEALS
Thursday, March 19, 2020
4:00 p.m.
TOWN HALL HEARING ROOM
Present:
Greg Stackpole, Chairman
Karen Gifford
Charles Bachmann, Alternate
Absent:
Margi Esten
The meeting was called to order at 4:03 p.m.
The purpose of the meeting was to hear appeals of property assessments for the 2019 Grand List.
The Board heard the following 7 appeals:
10 Woods Way – Unit 19D
Total Assessment $363,300
Appellant’s Opinion of Fair Market Value on October 1, 2017 $488,000
The Applicant indicated that the homeowners of the condo complex take care of the roadway, sewage system, maintenance, etc. and do not rely on Town services. Capital costs for road construction are currently being assessed. This particular unit is the smallest unit size with a different configuration than others. The Applicant provided a presentation regarding decreasing market values vs. increasing property taxes over the past five years.
17 Deacon Abbott Lane South
Total Assessment $277,200
Appellant’s Opinion of Fair Market Value on October 1, 2017 $265,000
The Applicant provided field cards for three other comparable properties for the Board to review.
17 Woods Way – Unit 9B
Total Assessment $426,400
Appellant’s Opinion of Fair Market Value on October 1, 2017 $495,000
The Applicant is the Treasurer for the Redding Woods Association and noted that the home values have decreased more than the average homes in Redding but it is not reflected in the assessments. The Association does have additional capital assessments for road construction, as they are self-sustaining, and there is a 10-year long term plan proposed for new roofing. The Board discussed the different variations of unit models within the Woods Way community.
19 Woods Way – Unit 10A
Total Assessment $374,800
Appellant’s Opinion of Fair Market Value on October 1, 2017 $467,000
The Applicant noted this unit in the Woods Way community was a larger unit. The same issues were reiterated as in previous Woods Way Applications, i.e. increased common charges for keeping the community up to the ‘Redding Standard’. The Board reviewed the field card of the unit and clarified that the space over the garage was heated and the attic space required ladder for access.
24 Woods Way – Unit 12D
Total Assessment $363,300
Appellant’s Opinion of Fair Market Value on October 1, 2017 $470,000
The Applicant purchased the unit in December 2017 for $470,000 and went under contract on 10/6/17 vs the revaluation date of 10/1/17. The unit is a type C. The list price was $499,000, as was also on another same-style unit. Floor plans of all the unit styles were reviewed by the Board.
43 Lamppost Drive
Total Assessment $524,700
Appellant’s Opinion of Fair Market Value on October 1, 2017 $710,000
The Applicant provided data regarding sales of comparable properties from November 2016 to July 2017. The Board members reviewed the field card. It was noted that John Ford is scheduled to re-measure the house to check measurements noted on the field card. The Applicant recently had the home professionally measured and there were inconsistences compared to the field card. It was also mentioned that the tennis court was not listed with correct build, clay vs asphalt.
24 Gallows Hill Road
Total Assessment $848,500
Appellant’s Opinion of Fair Market Value on October 1, 2017 $899,000
The Applicant provided an appraisal from 5/7/2018 valued at 1,000,000. The property was purchased for $1,005,000 in November 2018. A comparable property was provided and discussed, located on John Todd Way. There have been no updates in the house.
The Board entered deliberative session at 6:30 p.m.
43 Lampost Drive
Total Assessment $524,700
MOTION: Made by Mr. Bachmann, seconded by Ms. Gifford that John Ford should re-measure the dimensions of the home, make any appropriate changes and value accordingly. Carried unanimous.
17 Deacon Abbott Lane
Total Assessment $277,200
MOTION: Made by Mr. Stackpole, seconded by Ms. Gifford that it appears the valuation is in line with other properties presented and therefore no change be made to the assessment based on the information provided. Carried unanimous.
88 Portland Avenue – personal property
Total Assessment $20,625
New Assessment $4082.00
MOTION: Made by Mr. Stackpole, seconded by Ms. Gifford, to accept the revised declaration as provided by the property owner, with late filing 25% penalty applied. Carried unanimous.
285 Poverty Hollow Road
Total Assessment $299,400
MOTION: Made by Mr. Bachmann, seconded by Mr. Stackpole that no change be made to the assessment based on the information provided. Carried unanimous.
24 Gallows Hill Road
Total Assessment $848,500
New Assessment $753,500
MOTION: Made by Mr. Stackpole, seconded by Ms. Gifford, to change the condition of the home from very good to average and value accordingly. Carried unanimous.
368 Newtown Turnpike
Total Assessment $723,600
MOTION: Made by Mr. Stackpole, seconded by Ms. Gifford that due to lack of evidence presented no change be made to the assessment. Carried unanimous.
542 Redding Road
Total Assessment $222,000
New Assessment $215,300
MOTION: Made by Mr. Stackpole, seconded by Mr. Bachmann, to change the condition of the home from good to average and value accordingly. Carried unanimous.
24 Woods Way – Unit 12D
Total Assessment $363,300
New Assessment $333,900
MOTION: Made by Mr. Stackpole, seconded by Mr. Bachmann, to reduce the fair market value by 8% to $477,000. Carried unanimous.
19 Woods Way – Unit 10A
Total Assessment $374,800
New Assessment $366,100
MOTION: Made by Mr. Stackpole, seconded by Ms. Gifford, to change the condition of the condo from good to average reducing the fair market value to $523,000. Carried unanimous.
15 Woods Way – Unit 8A
Total Assessment $393,700
MOTION: Made by Mr. Stackpole, seconded by Ms. Gifford, that the value is appropriate as is and that no change be made to the assessment based on the information provided. Carried unanimous.
17 Woods Way – Unit 9B
Total Assessment $426,400
MOTION: Made by Mr. Stackpole, seconded by Ms. Gifford, that based on prior sales for other type B units leading up to October 2017 the value is appropriate and that no change be made to the assessment. Carried unanimous.
3 Woods Way – Unit 2B
Total Assessment $395,500
MOTION: Made by Mr. Stackpole, seconded by Mr. Bachmann, that the value is appropriate as is and that no change be made to the assessment based on the information provided. Carried unanimous.
10 Woods Way – Unit 19D
Total Assessment $363,300
MOTION: Made by Mr. Stackpole, seconded by Mr. Bachmann, to request John Ford, Assessor, do an inspection to determine the story height of the third floor and if a correction is in order to make appropriate change and value accordingly. Carried unanimous.
The Board exited deliberative session at 8:31 p.m.
The Board will meet in September 2020 for motor vehicle assessment appeals, date to be determined.
A motion to adjourn was made, seconded and carried unanimously at 8:35 p.m.
Submitted by Krista Gramer, 3/24/20
Minutes not approved by BAA.