MINUTES OF VALA DIRECTORS’ MEETING
MARCH 4, 2009
The meeting
was called to order at 9:15 a.m. by President Galen Mudgett with 28
in attendance as follows:
Mark Paulsen PV&R
Joyce Scribner Manchester
Pauline Moore Manchester
Carlton Domey Cabot Washington
Richard Lewis S. Barre Washington
Frank Partsch PV&R
Phyllis Newton Vernon Windham
Lisa Truchon Lincoln Addison
John Fike Reading Windsor
Mimi Burstein Bethel Windsor
John Vickery Burlington
Ed Clodfelter Calais
Galen Mudgett, Jr Sharon Windsor
Louise Ferris-Burt Bethel
Pat French Randolph Orange
Randy Viens Essex Chittenden
Cheryl Tudhope Orwell Addison
Charles Mason Pawlet Rutland
Noel Walker Fairlee Orange
Camilla Roberts Rockingham Windham
Steve Jeffrey VLCT
Chris Miele NEMRC
Tom Vickery Stowe Lamoille
Priscilla Robinson Warren
Randall Mulligan Colchester
Valdine Hall Greensboro Orleans
Michelle Wilson PVR
Carol Hammond Vernon Windham
______________________________
A motion was
made by Ed Clodfelter to accept the minutes of the February 4, 2009
meeting. The motion was seconded and passed.
The Treasurers
report was read by Louise as follows, and accepted as read on a motion
by Tom Vickery.
Balance
1/31/09 $5,337.74
Dues received $30.00
Expenses 0.00
Ending Balance
3/4/09 5,367.74
Education Fund $1,000.00
General Fund 4,367.74
Memberships
paid to date
______________________________
A question was raised as to whether a mailing is done after town meeting to acquaint new Listers with VALA. A mailing is not done, but the VALA agenda and minutes of the meetings are sent to each town.
It was suggested
that a brochure be developed to have as a handout at TOEC meetings.
VLCT—Steve Jeffrey: Steve said there wasn’t much to report since much of the legislature’s focus is Vermont’s portion of the stimulus package. The miscellaneous tax bill has not been finalized at this time.
2010 affordable housing bill will probably not go anywhere this year. There is a possibility that the State will again send out prebate/rebate checks to the taxpayers rather than to towns or schools.
The deadline for filing HS 122 may change again this year with a projected date of October 15, since this is also the date for filing income taxes on extension. Comments were made that the “fixes” by the legislature usually create more problems than they solve. VALA needs to make a clear statement on HS 122 and 144.
Differing opinions were expressed as to the pros and cons of payments mailed to the town vs. mailing checks to tax payers.
A bill to lower veteran’s disability eligibility from 50% to 30% will probably not get passed this year.
A comment was
made that perhaps the veteran’s exemption should be income sensitive.
Concerns were
expressed that there is no audit trail from the original 411 filed in
early June to the last one filed after the late filing deadline of the
HS 122. Chris Miele said there is a treasurer’s report that provides
information on filing and revisions.
PVR—Mark Paulsen: A new District Advisor has come on board—Nancy Merrill from Bethel who has a background in mass appraisal, private appraisals as well as Lister experience. There are now a total of eight District Advisors.
Net Book Valuation of utilities is back on the table. Doug Lay has been working to get information from utilities as well as the Public Service Dept on this issue. The Tax Commissioner wants utilities to be valued at net book, but at the same time wants the towns held harmless so that towns with new construction should get the benefit of additional assessment of the new construction and towns without building projects by utilities should not lose values. Some analysis has been done, but not information is coming forward yet because the legislature is focusing on other things.
Alternate energy
sources—the State wanted to know how towns are assessing alternate
energy projects. Towns are not assessing them unless they are
actually selling electricity.
Lister Education—Michelle
Wilson: Michelle handed out a listing of education offerings by
PV&R, which included location, time, and cost for each class/workshop.
The schedule will be posted on the PVR website. Applications for
classes may be found on the VALA website. These may be filled
out and sent directly to PV&R. It was suggested that information
about scholarships from VALA could be included with the course schedule.
There was extensive discussion on how the down turn in the real estate market affects values. A question was raised about making changes in one portion within a category of properties for one year only—could this be done under grand list maintenance. Normal maintenance is 10-20% changes in the grand list. Corrections to the grand list for a neighborhood or a category would become part of the three year policy according to PVR. A suggestion was made that perhaps the policy and/or the statute could be changed.
This discussion
will continue at the next meeting.
NEMRC—Chris
Miele reminded Listers that the annual NEMRC seminars will be held on
March 23rd and 30th in Rutland; on the 26th
in Burlington, and the 31st at Lake Morey. Fees will
be increasing.
LISTER OF THE
YEAR—three people need to serve on the committee. Tom Vickery
moved that the Vice President serve on the committee. The motion
was seconded and passed.
ANNUAL MEETING—Due
to renovations at Vermont Tech, the Old Dorm will not be available for
the Annual Meeting. We will be able to meet in the “Pit” and
tentative dates are September 18th or 25th.
EDUCATION—John Vickery: While there have been complaints that there doesn’t seem to be anything for Listers at this year’s TOECs, John reminded people that some of the workshops will be beneficial to various municipal officials. He will be doing a workshop on record retention which affects Listers, Clerks, Treasurers, etc. John also mentioned that anyone with suggestions for workshop topics, to please contact him, or if anyone is interested in teaching a workshop. The Lister forum will be missed this year.
Other suggestions
included having a short class/workshop after the VALA meetings on topics
pertinent to Listers; and perhaps have workshops at the Annual Meeting
rather than speakers.
Also discussed
was possibility of eliminating the January VALA meeting and having meetings
in February, March, and April as that is when the Legislature is most
active.
With no more
business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned.
Respectfully
submitted,
Carol Hammond, Secretary