04-27-2009 Council Minutes Board of Appeal & Equalization

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n T MINUTES OF THE ORONO BOARD OF APPEAL AND EQUALIZATION Monday, April 27, 2009 6:00 o'clock p.m. • Henrich stated his property is being compared with properties on Smith Bay and Spring Hill Road. Mrs. Henrich distributed water quality information and pictures of their back yard to the council. Henrich stated due to the poor water quality, they cannot swim, cannot use the lake, and the Assessor's Office elected not to take that into consideration. Henrich pointed out the comparable properties have views that look out over two forests while his property overlooks swamp that contains a number of noxious weeds. Mrs. Henrich distributed their comparables to the City Council. Henrich stated he feels the comparables selected by the Assessor's Office are not appropriate since his property is being compared to properties located on Highwood, Smith's Bay and Casco Point. White asked whether the Assessor's Office visited Mr. Henrich's property. Stulc indicated he visited properties on Highwood. Henrich stated Highwood Road does not compare to any of the comparables chosen by the Assessor's Office. Henrich stated he provided a comparable to the Assessor's Office that is located within one mile of his property and another comparable that is located on Forest Lake and is on a channel. In addition, all of his sales are located in the Mound School District while the Assessor's comparables are located in the • Orono School District. There is only one listing on Highwood at the present time for $600,000. Henrich indicated he does not feel the assessment by the Assessor's Office is fair. White stated he agrees with some of the points that Mr. Henrich has raised and that it appears the averages provided are pretty close in valuation. White stated he would be in favor of reducing Mr. Henrich's valuation from 1.709 million to 1.683 million based on the comparables provided by Mr. Henrich. Henrich noted the number that Mayor White used was just one of the three and is not the average. White indicated he added up all three values and that was the average. Henrich pointed out that the numbers being used by Mayor White are not his comparables but rather the comparables from the Assessor's Office. Henrich requested the Council review the color pictures he has provided. Based on the 1.7 million for the house on Smith's Bay and the amenities his house is lacking, his valuation should be reduced to 850,000. White stated he does not feel the valuation should go that low. McMillan asked whether the information that was distributed to the Council tonight was also provided to the Assessor's Office prior to tonight's meeting. Henrich stated it has been, in addition to the other comparables that he provided at the last meeting. One of the comparables is located within one -half mile of his house and two are properties comparable in size that are valued under 1.2 million. • PAGE 2