Town of Pittsfield
Board of Abatement Minutes
December 11, 2018, 12 Noon
Pittsfield Town Office
Present: Trish Fryer, Charles Piso, Ann Kuendig, Matt Corron, Herb Kuendig, Betty Warner, Martha Beyersdorf, Sarah Gallagher
Absent: George Deblon, Arline Drugonis, Mike Wuerthele
Agenda
1. Elect Chair, secretary
2. Abatement request – Mark Stugart
3. Other Business
The hearing was called to order at 12:02 by Charles Piso. Charles nominated Trish for Chair, seconded by Matt; motion carried. Trish nominated Sarah for secretary, seconded by Charles; motion carried.
Copies of email correspondence dated December 4 and December 5, 2018, and a letter received December 11, 2018 from Mark Stugart were distributed to those present. Sarah confirmed that Mark Stugart arrived at the office after 5:00 p.m. on November 15, 2018.
1. Mark requested abatement under 24 V.S.A. § 1535 (a)(4) taxes in which there is manifest error or a mistake of the listers. Mark noted his address was incorrect on his tax bill and the notice from the Delinquent Tax Collector. The Board noted that the first payment due on August 16, 2018, was received on August 15, which would indicate Mark received his bill in a timely fashion, regardless of the address.
2. Mark requested abatement under 24 V.S.A. § 1535 (a)(3) taxes of persons who are unable to pay their taxes, interest, and collection fees, saying he is unable to pay the interest and collection fees due to other financial obligations. There was no evidence presented as to extenuating financial circumstances.
3. Mark requested abatement unrelated to 24 V.S.A. § 1535, stating his opinion that the amount of the penalty was too great relative to the seriousness of the infraction (being 8 minutes late).
A motion to move to executive session was made at 12:17 by Ann, seconded by Charles; the motion carried.
A motion to leave executive session was made at 12:25 by Matt, seconded by Charles; the motion carried.
A motion to deny Mark Stugart’s request for abatement was made by Charles, seconded by Ann; the motion carried unanimously. The Board felt the information on the date and time taxes were due was clear and it is important that all taxpayers must be treated equally.
A motion to adjourn was made at 12:27 p.m. by Sarah, seconded by Charles; the motion carried.
Respectfully submitted, Date approved: __________________________________
Sarah Gallagher, secretary By: _____________________________________________
Board of Abatement Minutes
December 11, 2018, 12 Noon
Pittsfield Town Office
Present: Trish Fryer, Charles Piso, Ann Kuendig, Matt Corron, Herb Kuendig, Betty Warner, Martha Beyersdorf, Sarah Gallagher
Absent: George Deblon, Arline Drugonis, Mike Wuerthele
Agenda
1. Elect Chair, secretary
2. Abatement request – Mark Stugart
3. Other Business
The hearing was called to order at 12:02 by Charles Piso. Charles nominated Trish for Chair, seconded by Matt; motion carried. Trish nominated Sarah for secretary, seconded by Charles; motion carried.
Copies of email correspondence dated December 4 and December 5, 2018, and a letter received December 11, 2018 from Mark Stugart were distributed to those present. Sarah confirmed that Mark Stugart arrived at the office after 5:00 p.m. on November 15, 2018.
1. Mark requested abatement under 24 V.S.A. § 1535 (a)(4) taxes in which there is manifest error or a mistake of the listers. Mark noted his address was incorrect on his tax bill and the notice from the Delinquent Tax Collector. The Board noted that the first payment due on August 16, 2018, was received on August 15, which would indicate Mark received his bill in a timely fashion, regardless of the address.
2. Mark requested abatement under 24 V.S.A. § 1535 (a)(3) taxes of persons who are unable to pay their taxes, interest, and collection fees, saying he is unable to pay the interest and collection fees due to other financial obligations. There was no evidence presented as to extenuating financial circumstances.
3. Mark requested abatement unrelated to 24 V.S.A. § 1535, stating his opinion that the amount of the penalty was too great relative to the seriousness of the infraction (being 8 minutes late).
A motion to move to executive session was made at 12:17 by Ann, seconded by Charles; the motion carried.
A motion to leave executive session was made at 12:25 by Matt, seconded by Charles; the motion carried.
A motion to deny Mark Stugart’s request for abatement was made by Charles, seconded by Ann; the motion carried unanimously. The Board felt the information on the date and time taxes were due was clear and it is important that all taxpayers must be treated equally.
A motion to adjourn was made at 12:27 p.m. by Sarah, seconded by Charles; the motion carried.
Respectfully submitted, Date approved: __________________________________
Sarah Gallagher, secretary By: _____________________________________________
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