Board of Assessment Appeals Minutes

Town of Enfield

DATE:  April 14, 2009

Board of Assessment appeals special meeting was held in the Thompsonville Room, Town Hall.

The special meeting commenced at 4:00 p.m. with Rudolph Kuraska, Chairman, present;

Charles Woods, member, present; Thomas Tyler, member, present.

Appeal for Randy Marshman, Agent for 11 Hazard Ave.  Appeal #19 – No Show                 

Appeal for James Lagano for business personal property, Appeal #24 - No Show

Appeal for Lawrence Zavisza for 98 Abbe Rd, Appeal #25

Mr. Zavisza stated he used to own 98 Abbe Rd.  He sold it in May 2008 for $315,000.  The purchaser notifed him his land acreage was wrong .  He is appealing the last three years.  The assessor records showed it was 3.12 acres.  He went to assessor’s office for refund.  Assessor’s Office could not go back.  At that time was told to go through small claims court.  He did not have to go through small claims court.  Now he is going to superior court.  Mr. Zavisza presented a letter to the board regarding his acreage.   The new 2008 has been corrected on town records.  Mr. Zavisza stated in year 2000 it jumped considerably.    He thinks he was getting taxed for his mom's property.  Mr. Kuraska asked if he spoke to the assessor.  Mr. Zavisza spoke to the town manager and the town manager told him to go to Board of Assessment Appeals. 

People don't get a record of file of what's on the town files.  Mr. Tyler suggested approaching the town council regarding breaking out the assessments on the bill, how the forms should read. 

Mr. Woods stated the town council has the power to refund him . 

Mr. Tyler suggested he speak to Mark Cerrato regarding pending litigagtion.

Appeal for Dean Saracino for business personal property, Appeal #41

Copies of documents presented to the Board.  Mr. Saracino stated he is from the Boston area.  Declaration was presented to the Board.  Rents approximately 2512 square feet.  He has had problems with mailings at this address.  He didn't get a lot of mail around that time.  He opened the store in August.  Feels the value of his property should be 13,900 with penalty. 

Appeal for Darren Tucker for 367 G. Washington Rd., Appeal #42

His house was reassessed in 2008.  He put an addition on his home and his new assessment is 176470.  The house across the street is assessed lower and has more square feet.  His addition cost 20,000 and assessment was 20,000. 

Appeal for Philip Seidel for N Maple St., Appeal #21

In May 2008 he subdivided his property.   The right of way was grandfathered in in 1933.  He went to planning and zoning and was approved.  Right now the only access to the lot is on foot through his yard.  There is no driveway yet.  Presented document from realtor for comparables to Board.  There is no city water or electircity  The lot is not ready to go yet.  There is regulated wetlands on the lot.  The driveway will go across his front lot.  The driveway will have to be an 18 to 20 feet driveway with turnaround for fire trucks.  In his opinion the lot is worth 25,000 - 30,000 without driveway.

Appeal for Robert and Donna Robbins for 29 Weymouth Rd.  Appeal #45

Feels his new outbuilding needs to be taken off.  There’s a legal stop notice and can’t be used.  A former employee stated because it was a farm the building can be higher.  He has spent hours and hours in front of the zoning department.  He spoke to the town manager.   Until this is resolved does not want to pay taxes on what they can't use.   In January 2008 a building permit was issued.  They had to go through zoning first to get a variance and received a variance for set back from street.  Because it was so close to wetlands, he had to go to wetlands and received a determination.  The property was originally purchased from town.  It’s taller than height requirement in a residential area.  In May 2008 stop work.  The reason for the appeal is they do not want to pay taxes on something they can't use.  Zoning and wetlands have different names for buildings: agricultural vs. accessory building.  They’re willing to pay the $30,000 to bring it down to the height limit.

Appeal for Joseph Measor, business personal property, Appeal #48

Appeal for Michael Couture, motor vehicle, Appeal #28

Appealing car for high mileage.  Has 164,555 miles.  It was in an accident and had $10,000 worth of damage done.  The car was repaired.  Mr. Couture thinks it's worth $2000.

Appeal for Domenic Pistolisi, motor vehicle,  Appeal #6

He has a rebuilt title.  Presented a copy to the Board.  Feels it’s not value of blue book or NADA.  He paid $5300 and presented copy of check.  Paid sales tax on $5300 through DMV. 

Appeal for Michele Weston, 45 Walnut St., Appeal #20

Ms. Weston wants to have property reassessed since property values have gone.  A market analysis presented to the Board had a value of $219,000.  Zillow.com stated 209,500.  Feels fair market value should be $214,250.  Mr. Woods explained how the assessment is based on 2006 values.  She stated the neighborhood is okay but on the other end of Walnut St. there is a lot of drug activity.  The house down the street is not kept up as good as hers.  Her car was broken into in February.  It’s a high crime area.

Appeal for 11 Hazard Ave. through an agent , Appeal #19

Zaid Hassan did not have an agent authorization to represent appellant.  Mr. Kuraska stated the board would hear him with proper authorization on 4/16/09.  Requested he call and make an appointment Wednesday.

Meeting adjourned 7:00 p.m.