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Selectboard reviews errors that led to premature tax bills, says grand list was void until corrected
Summary
Selectboard members heard a detailed account of errors and omissions that led to tax bills being printed before grievance hearings and final certification; listers worked with the state to reprint and certify the grand list, and the board discussed safeguards to avoid recurrence.
Chair (S1) and presenters told the Fair Haven Selectboard that a sequence of errors in the town's grand list and tax-billing process resulted in tax bills being printed before grievance hearings and final certification. Presenter (S6) said the town’s grand list was rendered “worthless, absolutely worthless” until corrections were made and that the listers worked with the state to reprint required documents so the list could be certified.
S6 outlined the sequence: listers requested and received a 30-day extension to complete grievance work; the town manager then accessed the NEMRC/listers module, changed entries and printed bills for the new tax year before the listers had completed site visits and finalized grievances. “Only after the grand list is finalized can the municipality set its tax rate and send up tax bills,” S6 said. The presenters told the board that work with the district adviser, Christy Wright of the Division of Property Valuation and Review (PVR), led to reprinting the documents on Aug. 27 and allowed the listers to verify values.
Board members asked clarifying questions about who has final authority over assessments and tax rates. Presenter (S2) described the grievance and appeal process: property owners grieve assessed value with the listers, hearings occur, and appeals can proceed to the board of civil authority and the state. S2 said the initial bills were incorrect and had to be reissued while the listers completed additional reviews. “The backbone of every town is the integrity of its grand list,” S6 said; presenters told the board the list has now been certified following corrective work.
Members discussed potential sanctions and whether the town's standing with state systems was affected; presenters said their district adviser indicated this appears to be an unusual occurrence and that the PVR worked with the town to fix the records. The board asked staff to document the incident and to confirm procedures and controls to prevent a repeat. No formal disciplinary action or vote was taken during the meeting; presenters said the immediate technical problems have been resolved but emphasized follow-up and process review would continue.
