TOWN OF NEWTOWN
OFFICE OF THE ASSESSOR
BOARD OF ASSESSMENT APPEALS
MINUTES
APRIL 25, 2013 @ 6:00 PM
NEWTOWN MUNICIPAL CENTER
3 PRIMROSE STREET
NEWTOWN, CT 06470
PRESENT: MARIANNE BROWN, MAUREEN C. OWEN & JAMES MCFARLAND
ALSO PRESENT: CHRIS KELSEY & PENNY MUDGETT
1. Marilyn L. Alexander
Date: 4/25/13
Property Location/Description being appealed: 8 Taunton Lake Drive, Newtown, CT
06470
Reason for Appeal: Believes the property is overvalued based on sewer easement across the
property.
Board Discussion/Resolution: Approved. Reduce the land value by 10% based on sewer
easement.
Date: 4/25/13
Property Location/Description being appealed: 21 Pearl Street, Sandy Hook, CT 06482
Reason for Appeal: Believes the square footage on the property is incorrect based on the
information provided by the Real Estate agent during the purchase of the property in 2012.
Board Discussion/Resolution: No change. The Board determined the square footage was
accurate based on the revaluation.
3. Robert & Linda Bennett
Date: 4/25/13
Property Location/Description being appealed: 35 Watkins Drive, Sandy Hook, CT 06482
Reason for Appeal: Believes the property is overvalued based on appraisal and incorrect
information listed on the field card. Property is listed with a loft when in fact there is no loft.
Also, listed with (3) full bathrooms when only (2) full and (1) half bathroom.
Board Discussion/Resolution: Approved. Reduce the fair market value of the property to
$403,530 based on appraisal report, and correct inaccurate information.
4. Hawleyville Development LLC
Date: 4/25/13
Property Location/Description being appealed: 64 Barnabas Road, Newtown, CT 06470
Reason for Appeal: Appeal withdrawn.
5. Elisabeth Mammen
Date: 4/25/13
Property Location/Description being appealed: Shore Accounting Solutions
Reason for Appeal: Business personal property overvalued. Forgot to submit 2012 Personal
Property Declaration and an estimated value was applied.
Board Discussion/Resolution: Approved. Accept 2012 Personal Property Declaration plus
25% penalty for late filing.
6. Hugh & Angela Thresher
Date: 4/25/13
Property Location/Description being appealed: 11 Galilee Way, Newtown, CT 06470
Reason for Appeal: Believes property is overvalued based on comparable properties.
Board Discussion/Resolution: No change. The Board believes the property is at value based
on October 1, 2012.
7. David Shaw
Date: 4/25/13
Property Location/Description being appealed: 80 Brushy Hill Road, Newtown, CT 06470
Reason for Appeal: Believes property is overvalued based on building code issues.
Board Discussion/Resolution: No change. The Board believes the property is at value based
on October 1, 2012.
8. Roger & Denise Boucher
Date: 4/25/13
Property Location/Description being appealed: 24 Bridge End Farm Lane, Sandy Hook,
CT 06482.
Reason for Appeal: Appraisal does not take into account property slope, natural gas pipeline
intersecting north side of the property & culvert pipe on south side and arbitrary value
assigned to river front property.
Board Discussion/Resolution: No change. The Board believes the property is at value based
on October 1, 2012.
9. 6 Pond View Drive Trust
Date: 4/25/13
Property Location/Description being appealed: 6 Pond View Drive, Newtown, CT 06470
Reason for Appeal: Home is assessed significantly higher than other homes in
neighborhood. Home is located in a Toll Brothers development with similarly sized homes
built at the same time with the same features and quality. Recent market sales conclude a
market value significantly less than assessor’s market value. Attached certified appraisers
report indicates a market value not to exceed $930,000 which still far exceeds assessed values
of similar homes in neighborhood.
Board Discussion/Resolution: Approved. Reduce the fair market value of the property to
$980,000 based on appraisal report.
Date: 4/25/13
Property Location/Description being appealed: 7 Mountain View Drive, Newtown, CT 06470
Reason for Appeal: House is in poor condition and not habitable. Needs complete renovation or demolition and rebuild. Purchased the property in October 2012 for $78,074.
Board Discussion/Resolution: Approved. Reduce the fair market value of the property to $78,074 until improvements are made based on purchase price in October 2012.
- Hawleyville Development LLC
Date: 4/25/13
Property Location/Description being appealed: 23 Barnabas Road, Newtown, CT 06470
Reason for Appeal: Value too high based on comparables.
Board Discussion/Resolution: No change. The Board believes the property is at value based on October 1, 2012.
Date: 4/25/13
Property Location/Description being appealed: 3 Canterbury Lane, Sandy Hook, CT 06482
Reason for Appeal: Value too high based on comparables.
Board Discussion/Resolution: No change. The Board believes the property is at value based
on October 1, 2012.
Date: 4/25/13
Property Location/Description being appealed: 33 Church Hill Road, Sandy Hook, CT 06482
Reason for Appeal: Market value too high based on appraisal report which determined a value of $1,250,000.
Board Discussion/Resolution: Approved. Reduce fair market value of the property to $1,250,000 based on appraisal report.
14. Wendy Seiler
Date: 4/25/13
Property Location/Description being appealed: Botsford Hill Inc.
Reason for Appeal: Believes business is overvalued. Forgot to submit Personal Property
Declaration and an estimated value was applied.
Board Discussion/Resolution: Approved. Accept 2012 Personal Property Declaration plus
25% penalty for late filing.
15. Mark Stange
Date: 4/25/13
Property Location/Description being appealed: 8 Cross Brook Road, Newtown, CT 06470
Reason for Appeal: Believes property is overvalued based on condition and use of the
property.
Board Discussion/Resolution: No change. The Board believes the property is at value based
on October 1, 2012.
- Theracare of New York Inc.
Date: 4/25/13
Property Location/Description being appealed: Academy for Young Minds
Reason for Appeal: Business has no Personal Property or office location in the town of Newtown.
Board Discussion/Resolution: Approved. Delete the business for 2012 Grand List.
Date: 4/25/13
Property Location/Description being appealed: 106 Underhill Road, Sandy Hook, CT 06482
Reason for Appeal: Believes property is overvalued based on the condition of the property and its close proximity to the highway.
Board Discussion/Resolution: Approved. Reduce the grade of the dwelling from a ‘C’ grade to a ‘D’ grade and reduce the land value by 10% based on proximity to the highway.
Date: 4/25/13
Property Location/Description being appealed: 114 Underhill Road, Sandy Hook, CT 06482
Reason for Appeal: Believes property is overvalued based on its close proximity to the highway.
Board Discussion/Resolution: Approved. Reduce the land value by 10% based on the proximity to the highway.
Date: 4/25/13
Property Location/Description being appealed: 110 Underhill Road, Sandy Hook, CT 06482
Reason for Appeal: Believes property is over overvalued based on the condition of the property and its close proximity to the highway.
Board Discussion/Resolution: Approved. Reduce the grade of the dwelling from an ‘E’ grade to an ‘F’ grade and reduce the land value by 10% based on proximity to the highway.
Date: 4/25/13
Property Location/Description being appealed: 65A Lakeview Terrace, Sandy Hook, CT 06482
Reason for Appeal: Believes property is overvalued based on the fact the land is unusable and unbuildable per Zoning Department.
Board Discussion/Resolution: Approved. Reduce the land value by changing the land to excesses acreage.
Date: 4/25/13
Property Location/Description being appealed: 65 Lakeview Terrace, Sandy Hook, CT 06482
Reason for Appeal: Believes property is overvalued based on the condition of the property. The dwelling has no well/water and no heat just for seasonal use.
Board Discussion/Resolution: Approved. Reduce the grade of the dwelling from a ‘C’ grade to a ‘D’ grade based on the condition.
Date: 4/25/13
Property Location/Description being appealed: 46 Cedarhurst Trail, Sandy Hook, CT 06482
Reason for Appeal: Believes property is overvalued based on the fact that the land is unusable and unbuildable per Zoning Department.
Board Discussion/Resolution: No change. The appellant did not submit a letter from Zoning Department proving the land is unbuildable.
Date: 4/25/13
Property Location/Description being appealed: 48 Algonquin Trail, Sandy Hook, CT 06482
Reason for Appeal: Believes property is overvalued based on the condition of the property and the excess acreage is unbuildable per Zoning Department.
Board Discussion/Resolution: Approved. Reduce the grade of the dwelling from a ‘C+’ grade to a ‘D’ grade based on the condition of the property.
Date: 4/25/13
Property Location/Description being appealed: 47 Lakeview Terrace, Sandy Hook, CT 06482
Reason for Appeal: Believes the property is overvalued based on the condition of the property. Currently, the dwelling is completely gutted for renovations to take place, and there is no water system on the property.
Board Discussion/Resolution: Approved. Reduce the grade of the dwelling from a ‘C’ grade to a ‘D’ grade based on the condition of the property.
- Lake Zoar Restoration LLC
Date: 4/25/13
Property Location/Description being appealed: 35 Lakeview Terrace, Sandy Hook, CT 06482
Reason for Appeal: Believes the property is overvalued based on the condition of the land. The land is landlocked and unusable with a collapsed house on the property.
Board Discussion/Resolution: No change. The appellant did not submit a letter from Zoning Department proving the land is unbuildable.
Date: 4/25/13
Property Location/Description being appealed: 84 Waterview Drive, Sandy Hook, CT 06482
Reason for Appeal: Believes the property is overvalue based on the condition of the property. The property is situated on a non-conforming lot and the topography is level on the roadside with a very steep grade to the water. The structure itself is built high above the water requiring three flights of stairs to reach the water from the cottage. The cottage is also only seasonable use.
Board Discussion/Resolution: No change. The Board believes the property is at value based on October 1, 2012.
Date: 4/25/13
Property Location/Description being appealed: 7 Huntingtown Road, Newtown, CT 06470
Reason for Appeal: Believes the property value is too high.
Board Discussion/Resolution: No change. The Board believes the property is at value based on October 1, 2012.
Date: 4/25/13
Property Location/Description being appealed: 8 Huntingtown Road, Newtown, CT 06470
Reason for Appeal: Believes the property is overvalue based on the current condition of the property as it is not 100% complete renovations are still in progress.
Board Discussion/Resolution: Approved. Reduce the percent complete to 30% based on current construction.
Date: 4/25/13
Property Location/Description being appealed: 31 Rock Ridge Road, Newtown, CT 06470
Reason for Appeal: Believes the property is overvalue based on drainage issues. Curb-line catch basin causing erosion. Property is washing away due to water coming down the driveway and into the yard from the road.
Board Discussion/Resolution: Approved. Reduce the land value by 5% based on drainage easement which is causing erosion.
- D’Addario Sand & Gravel of Newtown Inc.
Date: 4/25/13
Property Location/Description being appealed: 245 South Main Street, Newtown, CT 06470
Reason for Appeal: Value per acre too high because property is dugout, wet, and not suitable for development.
Board Discussion/Resolution: No change. The Board believes the property is at value based on October 1, 2012.
- Estate of F. Francis D’Addario
Date: 4/25/13
Property Location/Description being appealed: 253 South Main Street, Newtown, CT 06470
Reason for Appeal: Being overbilled for 2.12 acres in error. Commercial and industrial building damaged by storm.
Board Discussion/Resolution: No change. The Board believes the property is at value based on October 1, 2012.
- Estate of F. Francis D’Addario
Date: 4/25/13
Property Location/Description being appealed: Botsford Hill Road, Newtown, CT 06470
Reason for Appeal: Property under water & not buildable.
Board Discussion/Resolution: Approved. Reduce the land to excess acreage due to it being a non-buildable lot.
Date: 4/25/13
Property Location/Description being appealed: 39 Oak Ridge Drive, Newtown, CT 06470
Reason for Appeal: Assessment significantly higher than current appraised value. Appraisal report came in at a value of $800,000.
Board Discussion/Resolution: Approved. Reduce fair market value of the property to $920,000 based on influence of appraisal report.
Date: 4/25/13
Property Location/Description being appealed: 63 Tomahawk Trail, Sandy Hook, CT 06482
Reason for Appeal: Believes value is too high.
Board Discussion/Resolution: No change. The Board believes the property is at value based on October 1, 2012.
Date: 4/25/13
Property Location/Description being appealed: 22 Platts Hill Road, Newtown, CT 06470
Reason for Appeal: Believes value is too high. Unable to subdivide property due to abnormal shape. The landing strip is also considered just a ‘hobby’.
Board Discussion/Resolution: No change. The Board believes the property is at value based on October 1, 2012.
Date: 4/25/13
Property Location/Description being appealed: 18 Platts Hill Road, Newtown, CT 06470
Reason for Appeal: Believes value is too high.
Board Discussion/Resolution: Approved. Reduce rear acreage from 23.11 to 16.50 based on information submitted to the Board.
Date: 4/25/13
Property Location/Description being appealed: 104 Waterview Drive, Sandy Hook, CT 06482
Reason for Appeal: Believes value is too high based on appraisal conducted on October 22, 2012 which resulted in a value of $280,000. Also, had a second appraisal on February 21, 2013 which also resulted in a value of $280,000.
Board Discussion/Resolution: Approved. Reduce fair market value of the property to $280,000 based on appraisal report.
Date: 4/25/13
Property Location/Description being appealed: 43 Cobblers Mill Road, Sandy Hook, CT 06482
Reason for Appeal: Believes value is too high based on Iroquois gas pipeline that runs along property line which prevents use.
Board Discussion/Resolution: No change. The Board believes the property is at value based on October 1, 2012.
Date: 4/25/13
Property Location/Description being appealed: 115 & 117 MT Pleasant Road, Newtown, CT 06470
Reason for Appeal: Believes value is too high based on current commercial market conditions since market dropped between 15-20% over the last two years. Property does not have sewer hookup which severely restricts rental use of property. Also, contains wetlands which prevents expansion.
Board Discussion/Resolution: No change. The Board believes the property is at value based on October 1, 2012.
Date: 4/25/13
Property Location/Description being appealed: 53 Botsford Hill Road, Newtown, CT 06470
Reason for Appeal: Believes the property value is too high. Vacant land which is unusable and unbuildable per Zoning Department.
Board Discussion/Resolution: Approved. Reduce the fair market value of the property to $106 based on information provided by appellant from the Zoning Department.
Date: 4/25/13
Property Location/Description being appealed: 159 Huntingtown Road, Newtown, CT 06470
Reason for Appeal: The assessment is unreasonably excessive based on comparables.
Board Discussion/Resolution: No change. The Board believes the property is at value based on October 1, 2012.
Date: 4/25/13
Property Location/Description being appealed: 17 Baldwin Road, Newtown, CT 06470
Reason for Appeal: Believes the property value is too high. Vacant land which is unusable and unbuildable per Zoning Department.
Board Discussion/Resolution: Approved. Reduce the fair market value of the property to $85 based on information provided by appellant from the Zoning Department.
Date: 4/25/13
Property Location/Description being appealed: 8A Farm Field Ridge Road, Sandy Hook, CT 06482
Reason for Appeal: Believes the property value is too high. Vacant land which is an interior lot and must fill in part of ravine in order to put a driveway in to access the property. The ravine is deep and most of the lot is unusable with wetlands.
Board Discussion/Resolution: No change. The Board believes the property is at value based on October 1, 2012.
Date: 4/25/13
Property Location/Description being appealed: 100 High Rock Road, Sandy Hook, CT 06482
Reason for Appeal: Believes the property value is too high based on neighborhood comparables. Vacant land which is unusable. Abuts railroad tracks and contains wetlands.
Board Discussion/Resolution: No change. The Board believes the property is at value based on October 1, 2012.
Date: 4/25/13
Property Location/Description being appealed: 19 Baldwin Road, Newtown, CT 06470
Reason for Appeal: Believes the property value is too high based on comparables. Vacant land which is unusable and unbuildable per Zoning Department. Property also contains wetlands and abuts sewer pumping station.
Board Discussion/Resolution: Approved. Reduce the fair market value of the property to $70,764 based on information provided by appellant from the Zoning Department.
***The Board also approved and signed off on all interoffice changes submitted***
Board of Assessment Appeals adjourned at 10:30 PM
Mindy Kovack, Clerk
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