Coventry appeals board continues vice‑chair nomination, readies for seven appeals as assessor coverage arranged

Coventry, Conn. — The Coventry Board of Assessment Appeals met Feb. 19, 2026, and took several administrative steps as it prepared for upcoming appeals, including approving an amended agenda, reviewing a staffing plan for assessor coverage and continuing the nomination of a vice chair candidate.

Chair Carolyn Arabolos opened the meeting at 6:30 p.m. and the board approved an amended agenda that added an item titled “Assessor Status.” The board also approved corrected minutes for the Dec. 11, 2025 meeting and accepted February and March 2026 timesheets forwarded by Assistant to the Assessor Jason Walton.

Why it matters: The board said it has seven appeals pending and adopted procedural steps to ensure hearings can proceed even while assessor staffing is transitional. Those preparations include sharing standard forms and a duty checklist and establishing a BAA email address to notify appellants of decisions.

Staffing and appeals filing: Member Carolyn Gerrity flagged a concern about certification of a grand list extension. In response, Arabolos reported the town has arranged temporary coverage: an interim assessor from Waterford and a deputy assessor from Tolland will assist Assistant to the Assessor Jason Walton while the town addresses staffing needs. Walton told the board he had received seven appeals with one day left before the filing deadline.

Election of vice chair: The minutes record two nominations for vice chair — for Barbara Riordan and for Phillip Bouchard — and an initial split of members on those nominations. The record then notes a motion described as “Continued nomination of Ms. Riordan for Vice Chair,” which the minutes record as carrying "all in favor." The minutes do not provide a separate, detailed roll-call tally for the final action.

Procedures for hearings: Arabolos said the board reviewed the Connecticut Association of Assessing Officers’ revised 2025 Board of Assessment Appeals Handbook and shared the appellant oath and sign‑in form with members. The board agreed the assessor or the assistant to the assessor will be available for appeals hearings and for deliberations, but will not be required to be physically present for the hearings. Arabolos said she will email members a duties checklist and that the board established a dedicated BAA email address to inform appellants of decisions.

Actions and next steps: The board approved the amended agenda and amended minutes, noted receipt of seven appeals, and recorded the staffing plan and procedural changes ahead of hearings. Joan Lewis moved to adjourn at 7:15 p.m.; the motion, seconded by Barbara Riordan, passed unanimously.

The board’s minutes were signed and submitted by Secretary Carolyn Gerrity. The BAA will proceed to schedule hearings on the filed appeals under the revised procedures.