Board of Assessors

Minutes of the Board of Assessors Meeting of January 21, 2010 A meeting of the Board of Assessors was held on Thursday, January 21, 2010, in Room 208, 2nd floor of City Hall. The meeting was called to order at 8:15 AM by Chair Marylou Blaisdell. Members Present: Marylou Blaisdell Kevin Moriarty Dominic D’Antoni Assessing Staff Present: Angelo Marino Robert Gagne Gary Turgiss Cheryl Walley Also in attendance Mr. Thomas McGreevy of 20 Brinton Drive for his 8:30 appointment. Minutes of the Meeting: Minutes for the meeting held on January 7th were approved unanimously. Abatement Requests Presented: A complete listing of all abatements approved/denied is available in Assessor’s Office. Appointments: 8:30 – Mr. Thomas McGreevy regarding re-consideration of the Board’s denial of the 2009 abatement filed on property located at 20 Brinton Drive Chair Marylou Blaisdell invited Mr. McGreevy to join the meeting and introduced the Board members. Deputy Assessor Robert Gagne began by explaining that this 2009 abatement had previously been brought before the Board and denied at the December 3, 2009 meeting. After being provided additional information by the taxpayer and doing some research, we are recommending the assessment be brought down to $260,900. Following the 2009 update this assessment did not decrease at the same percentage as the other neighboring assessments. The average decrease was 16-17% and Mr. McGreevy’s only decreased 8 or 9% as there was a functional adjustment made on his property and not the others, back in 1994 or 1995. This functional adjustment was never removed. The issue with his property was more the land than the building. The land area is large but the back half of it is only accessible from another lot so an adjustment was made to the site rather than the building and we agree the current value is more in line now, however the taxpayer still disagrees with it. In reviewing this assessment, Residential Appraiser Gary Turgiss looked at forty sales of similar properties. It was necessary to go outside the area though since there had been no recent sales within that immediate neighborhood. Ms. Blaisdell asked if an interior inspection was done and Mr. Gagne told the Board that Mr. McGreevy has asked that we do not inspect the inside of his property. Mr. D’Antoni asked the reason for refusing an inspection and Mr. McGreevy replied that the reason is principal in nature. He was offended with the way he was approached by Mr. Turgiss. He said he has since looked into the law and realizes that he waives his right to an appeal if he refuses an inspection of his property. Ms. Blaisdell advised Mr. McGreevy the Board members have read all the information presented. Mr. McGreevy thanked the Board but told them there was much more said than what was presented on paper and he would like to add one more facet. Chair Blaisdell reminded Mr. McGreevy he cannot add more information than the Board has been given in advance to prepare for this meeting. He asked if he could then read the letter and Chair Blaisdell allowed this. After reading the letter he asked that it be part of the record. He also showed pictures of a property with flooding in the driveway and surrounding land by a river. Referring to the pictures, Mr. Gagne asked if this is the subject property and Mr. McGreevy replied no it is another property in the area but it shows the extent of the flooding problem in the area. He said to offer a house for sale in the spring 1 of 2 in that neighborhood is a real issue. Mr. Moriarty asked Mr. Gagne the reason for the functional adjustment back in 1995. Mr. Gagne explained it was applied simply to bring the assessment to the correct number. This type of adjustment was done in the old assessing software because it was sometimes the only way to bring the assessment to where it should be. Mr. D’Antoni addressing Mr. McGreevy said you are here regarding the assessment on the whole property, inside and outside, etc. Before he can agree to a reduction he would like someone to go through the house. He told Mr. McGreevy he says that for Mr. McGreevy’s own protection. If the assessment is based on incorrect data, when the data is corrected, the assessment may be more in line. If this is appealed to the Board of Tax and Land Appeals or Superior Court they will ask you if you let an Assessor go through your house. Mr. McGreevy said his issue with having an inspection is a constitutional issue. Ms. Blaisdell told Mr. McGreevy everything the Assessor’s Office is trying to do is guided by State of New Hampshire law. She said she is a resident of the City of Nashua also, and knows that the Assessors are some of the most educated and highly certified in the State. She said there are constraints on all sides. She explained that what Mr. D’Antoni is saying is that you have the right to allow anyone you want inside your house but we as a Board have before us information to consider for an approval or denial of this abatement. Mr. D’Antoni told Mr. McGreevy unless there is an interior inspection, he will not agree to any reduction in this property’s assessment. Mr. Moriarty said he would agree to this reduction but only if the taxpayer signed an agreement also indicating his agreement. The taxpayer concurred. MOTION BY Kevin Moriarty to accept the revised assessment of $260,900 for the property located at 20 Brinton Drive pending a signed settlement agreement to be presented at the next scheduled Board of Assessors meeting. SECONDED BY Marylou Blaisdell. OPPOSED BY Dominic D’Antoni. MOTION CARRIED. Staff Items: The Board was presented with a Timber Tax warrant to sign for wood cut on parcel known as Map D/Lot 509. The Board members each signed this warrant. Old Business: None MOTION BY Marylou Blaisdell to adjourn at 8:45 AM. SECONDED BY Dominic D’Antoni. MOTION CARRIED unanimously. Transcribed by Cheryl Walley Department Coordinator 2 of 2