RE: [Butler Island] new tax assessment info

["Karen Wingate" <KWingate@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hi,

I believe, though this should be confirmed, that the North Hero reappraisal is based on the Marshall Swift valuation service.  Their description of how to value cottages is located in Section 12, Page 31 of their manual.   This section describes prefabricated cottages, yurts (yes, yurts...) and low-cost cottages.  I am going in next week to discuss my building replacement value and land value, I will confirm if Marshall Swift is the methodology they are using, and if so I will ask to see the section above and ask that they walk me through this section to the number that they have provided.  (If it is not Marshall Swift, I'll ask to see the detail of the valuation methodology that they are using).  Regarding the land value, I am going to ask to see the last (5) sale results on BI and the last (5) waterfront sales in North Hero.  I do not know what this will yield, however, I do think that comparative sales may be a basis for valuing land, and that BI land value (as compared to that of North Hero) should be significantly discounted due to accessability.

I am not going to be pleased that my tax bill may go down even through my value has gone up.  I want my value to be accurate, based on the fact that it is on an island, seasonal, and with exposed studs, with no connection to the grid, etc.   If this is what they have provided then I'm all set.


Best to all of you my Butler Island comrades,

Karen Wingate




>>> "Steve Feldman" <sfeldman@xxxxxxxxxxxx> 06/28/06 6:20 PM >>>
Hi Judy,
You were fortunate as our 4 parcels went up 54%, 55%, 74% and 80%!  We have
an appointment to see why, and were told two days ago that they didn't yet
know what the rate would be.  Did they get the info. from the state to
determine it, or were they just waiting for the minor changes that you
describe below?  If this is the rate (ballpark), then that is good news.
Thanks,
Steve & Peg

-----Original Message-----
From: jjhillis@xxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:jjhillis@xxxxxxxxxxxx] 
Sent: Wednesday, June 28, 2006 2:18 PM
To: list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx 
Subject: [Butler Island] new tax assessment info

I met with the listers today at the North Hero town office.  I was told that
the projected new tax rate for non-residential will be about $1.45, give or
take a penny or two.  The projected tax rate for residential will actually
be a bit more, about $1.50.  The tax rate for 2005 was $2.38.  Although my
assessment went up by 42%, my 2006 tax bill will be about $160 less than the
2005 bill.  The town of North Hero is sending all property owners a booklet
listing all new property assessments- should be in your mailbox in the next
few days.  

Thought I'd pass this info on to fellow islanders....would love to hear any
info you have about the new assessment, too!

Judy Hillis