Williston board agrees to six-week continuance in Maple Tree Place appeal

The Williston board agreed to continue the tax appeal filed by Maple Tree Place Owner LLC, setting a new hearing date of Sept. 10 after the parties said they needed roughly six weeks to gather more information and discuss a possible resolution.

Sarah Mason, who identified herself as a clerk, told the board she had circulated materials for the matter and that the meeting concerned the Maple Tree Place Owner LLC appeal. The chair opened the meeting at 6:10 p.m., announced that it was being recorded pursuant to Vermont law and administered the oath to those present to hear the case under oath.

A board member asked the appellant, Connor, to summarize prior discussions with town representatives; Connor and the board agreed that the extra time was intended to let the parties negotiate and collect additional information. The chair said, “the parties have both agreed to, continuance until September 10,” and noted that if the board reconvenes and takes evidence, witnesses will again be placed under oath.

The chair also confirmed there were no conflicts of interest or ex parte communications reported. The parcel under appeal was identified by the chair as 166 Sycamore Street, parcel ID 08103Point002000. The proceeding was paused with the continuance and the chair closed the hearing, thanking participants; the meeting adjourned at 6:58 p.m. The recording will be posted to the town website for 30 days, the chair said.

After the adjournment the group briefly exchanged courtesy remarks and a participant raised a separate question about property tax-exempt status; the chair directed that exemption questions be taken to the appropriate staff (Bill and Shirley) and said the BCA hearing would not resolve that matter.

Next step: the board will reconvene on Sept. 10 for continued proceedings on the Maple Tree Place Owner LLC appeal unless the parties reach a resolution beforehand.