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Orwell board accepts inspection report in William Moore property valuation appeal; closes hearing for deliberation
Summary
The Orwell Board of Civil Authority accepted an inspection committee's report recommending a lower fair market value for William Moore's camp at 545 Singing Cedars Road, and closed the appeal hearing for deliberation; a written decision will be issued within 15 days.
The Orwell Board of Civil Authority on Aug. 18 accepted an inspection committee's findings in an appeal by William Moore of his 2024 property valuation and closed the hearing for deliberation.
Richard O. Buxton Jr., chair of the Orwell Board of Civil Authority, reconvened the appeals hearing at 7 p.m. at the Town Office. The board approved the Aug. 4 minutes and then heard the Inspection Committee's report on Moore's camp at 545 Singing Cedars Road (Parcel #061032.000).
The Inspection Committee, which reported it visited the property on Aug. 7 with owner William Moore present, recorded several differences from the lister card that would reduce the valuation: no fireplace as listed; a smaller porch (committee measurement 557 sq. ft. vs. 612 sq. ft. on the lister card); a smaller overall building footprint (731 sq. ft. vs. 812 sq. ft.); a smaller finished basement area (473 sq. ft. vs. 750 sq. ft.); and a correspondingly smaller basement overall. Using the lister-card unit values, the committee recommended adjustments totaling $42,253 and a revised fair market value of $357,347, down from the townwide reappraisal figure of $399,600.
Andrea Treadway moved to accept the Inspection Committee Report as submitted; Betty Walker seconded, and the motion passed unanimously. The board also recorded a conflict-of-interest disclosure from Justice of the Peace Michael R. Audet, who stated his wife, Jean Audet, is a lister and recused himself from related deliberations.
Appellant William Moore told the board he had not received a valuation notice last year and suggested certified mail; the listers responded that they have proof of mailing. The board noted that the prior year's grand list is closed and cannot be changed.
The hearing was closed for deliberation and the board's decision will be completed and signed by Chair Richard O. Buxton Jr. William Moore will receive the BCA's decision letter within 15 days. The hearing was adjourned at 7:39 p.m.
