Portland Board of Assessment Review elects chair, schedules start of dozens of property tax appeals

The Portland Board of Assessment Review elected Eric Larson chair and Dale Knapp secretary at its May 5 meeting, and began scheduling hearings on 34 property tax appeals filed April 14 by affiliated owners represented as Reveler Development Group.

Michael Goldman, corporation counsel, told the newly constituted board the appeals arrived at once and are “all for multi unit residential properties” owned by affiliated entities. He said state law gives the board a 60‑day window to issue decisions or the appeals are deemed denied and may proceed to superior court if appellants pursue further review.

The board voted unanimously on the slate. Kristen Dugas moved to appoint Larson and Knapp; Dale Knapp seconded. Kristen Dugas, Dale Knapp and Eric Larson each voted yes.

Goldman said the assessor will be represented at hearings by Leah Raichin of Drummond Woodson and that Steven Wagner of Rudman Winchell will serve as counsel to the board. He told members he would circulate the 34 appeal filings and asked whether appellants would waive the 60‑day automatic denial deadline; Goldman said the applicant had not yet formally agreed to a waiver.

Board members discussed logistics for hearings. Goldman said he would ask staff to block several dates and work with counsel on availability. Members expressed a preference for evening hearings but acknowledged scheduling constraints: Dugas said she is unavailable the week of May 19 and June 5–11; Knapp said evenings are easier for him; Larson said he will be out of service in Alaska from June 13 to about July 4 and that Wednesdays are difficult for him.

Goldman warned that because of the volume the board likely will not finish all cases at a single meeting and suggested starting hearings in late May if counsel availability allows. He also reminded members that the board has a remote‑meeting policy and that state law requires roll‑call voting for hybrid or remote sessions.

Before adjourning the public meeting, the board voted to enter executive session to consult with counsel under 1 M.R.S. §4056. Goldman made the motion to move into executive session; Dugas seconded. The roll call vote was recorded as yes from Knapp, Dugas and Larson. Goldman said no action would be taken during the executive session and that the public meeting would not reconvene afterwards.

The board directed staff to circulate the appeal filings and coordinate hearing dates and formats with counsel and board members.