Board of Assessors

Minutes of the Board of Assessors Meeting of January 17, 2013 A meeting of the Board of Assessors was held on Thursday, January 17, 2013 in Room 208, 2nd floor of City Hall. The meeting was called to order at 8:15 AM by Chair Dominic D'Antoni. Members Present: Dominic D'Antoni Kevin Moriarty George Farrington Assessing Staff Present: Angelo Marino Drew LeMay Greg Turgiss Doug Dame Cheryl Walley Minutes of the Meeting: The minutes for the meeting held on January 3, 2013 were approved. Appointments: None. Abatement Requests Presented: A complete listing of all abatements approved/denied is available in the Assessor’s Office. Commercial Appraiser Doug Dame presented an abatement for a building which is on leased land as well as an abatement for the leased land. The land is owned by the Nashua Airport Authority. The taxpayer is responsible for paying taxes on the land, according to the lease. He told the Board they have agreed to withdraw the abatement on the land, if this settlement for the building is approved. Dr. Moriarty asked who sets the price for the leased land. Mr. Dame told the Board that back in the 1990’s there was a court decision that set the rate at $2 per square foot for a lengthy term and this is what is keeping the assessment low on the land portion. The assessment is currently $65,000 for the land portion on this account. This is why the assessment on the land portion is not being contested. Mr. Dame continued saying that there are other similar situations in the City of Nashua with the buildings on leased land, such as Coburn Woods. 1 of 2 Dr. Moriarty asked if this was enforced by the aldermen and Chief Assessor Angelo Marino replied that the city gives the governing of the land to the Nashua Airport Authority and they set the lease rates but in this case there is a court order which sets the lease rate. Dr. Moriarty wondered if the assessment should be market value regardless of the leased price. Mr. Marino replied since the assessment is not at market value and we appraise fee simple, we can take a look at this assessment. Regarding a settlement agreement presented to the Board members for Marriott Hotel, there was some discussion about which hotels are comparable in the city with regards to the services offered and room rental rates. The Board was told that the assessments are based on income of the property. Dr. Moriarty asked Commercial Appraiser Drew LeMay for a summary of assessments for the hotels in the city and Mr. LeMay said he will put that together. MOTION BY Dominic D'Antoni to adjourn at 8:45 AM. SECONDED BY Kevin Moriarty. MOTION CARRIED. Transcribed by: Cheryl Walley Department Coordinator 2 of 2