Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Timber Tax topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Orford Selectboard denies timber tax abatement for Tim and Lynn Cook
Summary
After reviewing the forester's work papers, the Orford Selectboard voted 3–0 on Oct. 2 to deny a timber tax abatement requested by Tim and Lynn Cook. The board noted the burden of proof is on the property owners and advised the Cooks of appeal options to the BTLA and the forestry licensing board.
The Town of Orford Selectboard voted 3–0 on Oct. 2 to deny a timber tax abatement filed by Tim and Lynn Cook after NH timber appraiser Rick Evans reviewed the forester’s work papers and explained how payments and the tax rate were calculated.
Evans told the Cooks the burden of proof for an abatement rests with the property owners and reviewed the worksheet the forester used and the rating sheet completed by the Selectboard chair that supported the board’s calculation. He said he is available to provide more information about either process.
The board’s motion to deny the abatement was made by Selectboard member Kevin Follensbee and seconded by Selectboard member Larry Taylor; the motion passed 3–0. Town staff member Esther Dobbins-Marsh was instructed to email the Cooks with the board’s decision and to remind them of the tax amount originally billed.
The minutes note two avenues for the Cooks if they disagree with the board’s decision: they may appeal the Selectboard’s decision to the BTLA, and if they believe the forester underpaid them they may file a complaint with the forestry licensing board. The minutes do not specify amounts paid to the Cooks or the tax figures used.
Next steps available to the property owners are administrative: appeal to the BTLA or a complaint to the forestry licensing board; the Selectboard did not reopen or amend the tax calculation at the meeting.
