Town of Pittsfield Grievance Hearing Minutes
May 15, 2025
https://bit.ly/43rmpfi
Hearing #1 16-0751-000, 751 South Hill Road, Bryon Fryer owner
Informed that the hearing is recorded
The hearing began at 3:57 pm. Mr. Fryer attended and the following
concerns were discussed:
Questions on how and why the metal containers used for storage were
now taxed.
Stated that these boxes are temporary structures and can be removed at
any time and his real estate value didn't go up.
Stated that the discussion for taxing the metal containers should have
been voted on at Town meeting similar to the recent 1 % increase.
Question about how the containers are valued. And question how other
structures (carport) are taxed.
The listers shared that through their training the storage boxes should
have been taxed as sheds/outbuilding, and there was a warned meeting
held and an announcement at town meeting in March, prior to the April
1st review. All sheds are noted on April 1st, and there is no distinction
between rented or owned sheds. The listers continued to explain that all
sheds are taxed based on square footage at a set rate/sq ft.
The listers shared the approximate tax cost of Mr. Fryer's storage sheds.
The property owner was informed that the listers had seven (7)
business days to respond.
The hearing ended at 4:12 pm.
Hearing #2 99-0472-000, 4668 Route 100 Keith & Christi Bollman owner
Informed that the hearing is recorded
The hearing began at 4:18 pm. Keith & Christi Bollman attended and the
following concerns were discussed:
Review of the Itemized Property Cost list. The Bollman's shared mistakes
on the list; there is no basement, rather the house is on a slab. There are
only 2 bedrooms, not three. The flooring is stained concrete with radiant
heat. There is an additional 1/2 bath. The Bellman's questioned how%
completed is calculated, noting the siding and cabinetry is incomplete.
The listers noted all changes and discussed how completion calculations
are made.
The hearing ended at 4:33 pm.
Hearing #3 03-0238-000, 238 Forsha Road, Lynda and Ray Colton owner
The hearing began at 4:40 Lynda Colton attended and the following
concerns were discussed:
The metal store box, now being taxed belongs to Tim Hunt. Asked if the
town could tax Tim Hunt.
Could a separate bill be made?
More research needs to be done to inform Lynda of the tax assigned to the
assessed value of the metal storage shed.
The property owner was informed that the listers had seven (7)
business days to respond.
The hearing ended at 4:50 pm.
Hearing #4 06-0610-000, 610 Lower Michigan Road, Tim Pins owner
Informed that the hearing is recorded
The hearing began at 5 pm Tim Pins and Attorney Jeff White, attended
and the following concerns were discussed:
Tim stated that the leased metal storage containers on his property are not
permanent storage .
He has 6 -8'X20' , 3-8'X40', and one 8'X 40' belongs to his tenant POMA.
Mr. White shared information from the state noting fair market value,
intention of the owner, attached/unattached units and stated IF the
property were to be sold, the leased units would not be part of the asking
price, because they are not owned.
Also asked about the fine line between personal property/permanent
structure.
The listers shared that through their training the storage boxes should
have been taxed as sheds/outbuilding, and there was a warned meeting
held and an announcement at town meeting in March, prior to the April 1st
review. All sheds are noted on April 1st, and there is no distinction
between rented or owned sheds. The listers continued to explain that all
sheds are taxed based on square footage at a set rate/sq. ft. The listers
will seek additional questions/ research with the assessor and or state
representative.
The property owner was informed that the listers had seven (7)
business days to respond.
The hearing ended 5:30 pm.
Hearing #1 69-0018-00, 18 The Commons Paul C & Lori Stiles owner
The hearing began at 9:00 am. Mr. Stiles attended and the following concerns were discussed.
Questions on why the metal containers used for storage were now taxed.
Stated that these boxes are temporary structures.
He owns 2 containers and the third is rented.
The listers shared that through their training the storage boxes should have been taxed as sheds/outbuilding. These sheds are noted on April 1st, and there is no distinction between rented or owned sheds. The listers continued to explain that all sheds are taxed based on square footage at a set rate/sq.. ft.
The listers shared the approximate tax cost of Mr. Stiles' storage sheds
The hearing ended at 9:12am.
continued to explain
Respectfully submitted by : Jennifer Wall Howard May 20, 2025
Approved by: Jeremy Rayner & Herb Kuendig May 20, 2025
May 15, 2025
https://bit.ly/43rmpfi
Hearing #1 16-0751-000, 751 South Hill Road, Bryon Fryer owner
Informed that the hearing is recorded
The hearing began at 3:57 pm. Mr. Fryer attended and the following
concerns were discussed:
Questions on how and why the metal containers used for storage were
now taxed.
Stated that these boxes are temporary structures and can be removed at
any time and his real estate value didn't go up.
Stated that the discussion for taxing the metal containers should have
been voted on at Town meeting similar to the recent 1 % increase.
Question about how the containers are valued. And question how other
structures (carport) are taxed.
The listers shared that through their training the storage boxes should
have been taxed as sheds/outbuilding, and there was a warned meeting
held and an announcement at town meeting in March, prior to the April
1st review. All sheds are noted on April 1st, and there is no distinction
between rented or owned sheds. The listers continued to explain that all
sheds are taxed based on square footage at a set rate/sq ft.
The listers shared the approximate tax cost of Mr. Fryer's storage sheds.
The property owner was informed that the listers had seven (7)
business days to respond.
The hearing ended at 4:12 pm.
Hearing #2 99-0472-000, 4668 Route 100 Keith & Christi Bollman owner
Informed that the hearing is recorded
The hearing began at 4:18 pm. Keith & Christi Bollman attended and the
following concerns were discussed:
Review of the Itemized Property Cost list. The Bollman's shared mistakes
on the list; there is no basement, rather the house is on a slab. There are
only 2 bedrooms, not three. The flooring is stained concrete with radiant
heat. There is an additional 1/2 bath. The Bellman's questioned how%
completed is calculated, noting the siding and cabinetry is incomplete.
The listers noted all changes and discussed how completion calculations
are made.
The hearing ended at 4:33 pm.
Hearing #3 03-0238-000, 238 Forsha Road, Lynda and Ray Colton owner
The hearing began at 4:40 Lynda Colton attended and the following
concerns were discussed:
The metal store box, now being taxed belongs to Tim Hunt. Asked if the
town could tax Tim Hunt.
Could a separate bill be made?
More research needs to be done to inform Lynda of the tax assigned to the
assessed value of the metal storage shed.
The property owner was informed that the listers had seven (7)
business days to respond.
The hearing ended at 4:50 pm.
Hearing #4 06-0610-000, 610 Lower Michigan Road, Tim Pins owner
Informed that the hearing is recorded
The hearing began at 5 pm Tim Pins and Attorney Jeff White, attended
and the following concerns were discussed:
Tim stated that the leased metal storage containers on his property are not
permanent storage .
He has 6 -8'X20' , 3-8'X40', and one 8'X 40' belongs to his tenant POMA.
Mr. White shared information from the state noting fair market value,
intention of the owner, attached/unattached units and stated IF the
property were to be sold, the leased units would not be part of the asking
price, because they are not owned.
Also asked about the fine line between personal property/permanent
structure.
The listers shared that through their training the storage boxes should
have been taxed as sheds/outbuilding, and there was a warned meeting
held and an announcement at town meeting in March, prior to the April 1st
review. All sheds are noted on April 1st, and there is no distinction
between rented or owned sheds. The listers continued to explain that all
sheds are taxed based on square footage at a set rate/sq. ft. The listers
will seek additional questions/ research with the assessor and or state
representative.
The property owner was informed that the listers had seven (7)
business days to respond.
The hearing ended 5:30 pm.
Hearing #1 69-0018-00, 18 The Commons Paul C & Lori Stiles owner
The hearing began at 9:00 am. Mr. Stiles attended and the following concerns were discussed.
Questions on why the metal containers used for storage were now taxed.
Stated that these boxes are temporary structures.
He owns 2 containers and the third is rented.
The listers shared that through their training the storage boxes should have been taxed as sheds/outbuilding. These sheds are noted on April 1st, and there is no distinction between rented or owned sheds. The listers continued to explain that all sheds are taxed based on square footage at a set rate/sq.. ft.
The listers shared the approximate tax cost of Mr. Stiles' storage sheds
The hearing ended at 9:12am.
continued to explain
Respectfully submitted by : Jennifer Wall Howard May 20, 2025
Approved by: Jeremy Rayner & Herb Kuendig May 20, 2025
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