05-13-2002 Council Minutes Reconvened Board of Appeal

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ORONO BOARD OF APPEAL & EQUALIZATION RECONVENED MONDAY, MAY 13, 2002 11 1. Stephen Farnes of 4400 Deering Island, #18- 117- 23 -31- 0001 — Continued Sansevere asked if Mr. Fames was aware of other appeal options available to him. Jensen stated that the next step would be the County Board of Equalization with no fee, then would come Tax Court, which would have a small fee. Sansevere told Mr. Fames that his decision would have to be based on the information provided by their experts. Nygard stated he felt the assessment was too high, and mentioned the boat traffic past the island. Mr. Fames stated that he gets up to 250 boats passing the island an hour. The island was 6.5 acres at the early part of the century, but has been eroded away. He stated he would have to invest $80,000 - $100,000 or more to rip rap the island. White stated that other island properties have more privacy. Mr. Fames stated that he has no land access to the island and the house is substandard. Sansevere asked Jensen what the EMV would come to if the island had eroded to 2.25 acres. Jensen stated that using $5 per s.f. the EMV would comedown to $510,000 White asked Fames if he lives there year round. He stated that he only spends two or • three months there a year, but it is the only property he owns and is his voting residence. He also stated that the property probably should not be homestead, but should be seasonal recreational. He stated he would like to see the EMV at $174,584, which would be the 1994 EMV plus 4% each year. Mr. Fames stated that the Council had the power to decide whatever was fair, and reminded them that last year's assessment was based on erroneous information concerning the actual size of the island. Sansevere stated he could not support such a decreased EMV. Nygard stated they could not go backwards from last year's appraisal. Sansevere was wondering if there was enough time for Mr. Fames to get a survey and a appraisal done before the board made a decision. Jensen stated the board had to be closed that night because the board needs to close within 20 days of the first meeting and that was the twentieth day. Gaffron stated it was feasible that half an acre had eroded in 17 years, but he doubted it. Sansevere suggested Mr. Fames take a survey and an appraisal to the next level of appeal. E 2