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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1988-02-16 - Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes VILLAGE OF RYE BROOK BOARD OF TRUSTEES GRIEVANCE DAY AGENDA MEETING FEBRUARY 16, 1988 6:00 P.M. GRIEVANCE DAY 6:00 P.M. to 10:00 P.M. AGENDA MEETING ITEMS FOR FEBRUARY 23, 1988 PUBLIC HEARINGS 1. Rye Ridge Shopping Center/Merritt & Holby - Rezoning Approval and Preliminary Site Plan Approval 2. The Establishment of Regulations re: Floor Area Ratio 3. Kiewit Industrial request to install cable line RESOLUTIONS/DISCUSSION 4. Traffic Commission - Signage in Rye Acres 5. Proclamation - Town of Rye Day - March 7, 1988 6. Lead Agency Designation: Heritage and Arrowwood developments APPOINTMENTS/AUTHORIZATION 7. Check Register Authorization APPROVAL OF MINUTES January 26, 1988 NEXT MEETING DATES February 23, 1988 - Regular Meeting March 08, 1988. - Agenda Meeting March 16, 1988 - Canvass of Votes March 22, 1988 - Regular Meeting Rye Brook Village Offices are Handicapped Accessible 000988 MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF ASSESSMENT REVIEW and AGENDA MEETING OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE VILLAGE OF RYE BROOK, HELD ON THE 16th DAY OF FEBRUARY, 1988 IN THE VILLAGE OFFICES, 90 SOUTH RIDGE STREET RYE BROOK, NEW YORK CONVENE MEETING - BOARD OF ASSESSMENT REVIEW The meeting of the Board Of Assessment Review was called to order by Mayor Kabcenell at 6:00 P.M. in the Conference Room. Present were the following members of the Board: Mayor Jack L. Kabcenell Trustee Milton Meiskin Trustee Mario J. Nardi Trustee Salvatore Cresenzi Trustee Frank Filipowski Also present were: Christopher J. Russo, Village Administrator Rocco V. Circosta, Director of Public Works Barbara Chase, Assessor Mary Ann Spadafino, Assessor' s Office Jean A. Marra, Deputy Village Clerk Due to a death in the family, the Village Attorney, Georgia Kramer, was not in attendance at this meeting. 000981 February 16, 1988 The Assessor, Barbara Chase, explained that of all the grievances filed, only eight were new applications and those were all from Candy Lane, except one from the owner of the 90 South Ridge Street building. She continued that the Candy Lane applications were all for the new homes. In answer to Mayor Kabcenell's question, Ms. Chase stated that the assessments were taken right off the plans submitted and that market valuation was used as a guideline. Ms. Chase then explained that the assessments were done by a 1967 cost manual with a residential ratio of 4.17 percent being used. Any figure up or down 1/2 percent from that figure was keeping in line, she added. In reply to a question raised by Trustee Nardi, the Assessor stated that the selling price of a home does not change the assessed valuation. Records are kept of every sale so we know what the mean value is for a particular area but if the figure comes in two percent versus five percent, we find out the reason why, Assessor Chase stated. Ms. Chase continued that Leon Silverman, the owner of 90 South Ridge Street, filed a grievance and his argument was that the building was not fully occupied as of January 1st. She added that the figure was previously set and it was followed, based on the 1984 purchase price. She said she explained to him that by June lst the building will be occupied more but his problem was that he did not want two different assessments: one for the Village and one for the Town. She then recommended that it be reviewed further because based on the occupancy ratio, the figures were coming in a little high. Some discussion followed regarding the Village's exemption from taxes and the question of how long the exemption ran was raised to which Administrator Russo said he would review the lease to ascertain that. At this time, as no one appeared to be heard, and on motion duly made and seconded, the meeting of the Assessment Board of Review was adjourned and the Board proceeded to the meeting room. - 2 - 0009A February 16, 1988 CONVENE AGENDA MEETING Mayor Kabcenell called the Agenda Meeting to order at 8:05 P.M. in the meeting room and the Pledge of Allegiance followed. The Mayor then stated that the Board of Assessment Review would reconvene and continue until 10:00 P.M. immediately following the Agenda Meeting. Mayor Kabcenell announced that if anyone wished to be heard, they are welcome and one gentlemen stated that more residents were expected about 8:30 so they would wait to be heard until then. The Assessor has to be two places at the same time on Grievance Day, Mayor Kabcenell explained, but she has consented to wait for awhile before leaving for Port Chester. The following items were then placed on the agenda for the February 23rd meeting: PUBLIC HEARINGS 1. Rye Ridge Shopping Center/Merritt & Holby - Rezoning Approval and Preliminary Site Plan Approval 2. The Establishment of Regulations re: Floor Area Ratio 3. Kiewit Industrial request to install cable line On this issue, Administrator Russo stated that a number of questions were raised by the consortium of municipalities; one of them being that this request might require public service approval. He added that according to legal opinion, the full requirements have not been met, but he recommended that the public hearing be held. RESOLUTIONS/DISCUSSION 4. Traffic Commission - Signage in Rye Acres 5. Proclamation - Town of Rye Day - March 7, 1988 6. Lead Agency Designation: Heritage and Arrowwood developments 3 - 000991 February 16, 1988 APPOINTMENTS/AUTHORIZATION 7. Check Register Authorization APPROVAL OF MINUTES January 26, 1988 NEXT MEETING DATES February 23, 1988 - Regular Meeting ADJOURNMENT At 8:20 P.M. , on motion duly made and seconded, the Agenda Meeting was adjourned and the meeting of the Assessment Review Board reconvened. Mayor Kabcenell requested that Barbara Chase review the basis for assessment proceedings and the Assessor complied with the request by reiterating the theory of the 1967 cost replacement manual less depreciation. She added that all Candy Lane properties were reviewed and the land values were reduced. After answering several questions raised by members of the audience, Ms. Chase departed and Mayor Kabcenell proceeded to explain the procedure for Grievance Day. He added that after all grievances were reviewed by the Assessor and the Board of Trustees, the Board would meet again on March 16th to discuss their decisions. At this time Mayor Kabcenell stated that anyone who did not file a grievance was welcome to do so. The first person to speak was Mr. Phil Robins of 15 Candy Lane, who stated that this was "worse than getting his draft notice." He said that he could buy a more expensive house and pay less taxes and that he was being penalized for owning a brand new home. Trustee Meiskin stated that the same formula for establishing an equitable basis still holds today as it did when it was imple- mented. He added that if the selling price was used to determine value, the assessment would have gone up constantly. - 4 - 0009924 February 16, 1988 Another speaker said that she thought her taxes were high compared to what was around and what services she gets. Mayor Kabcenell noted that once the road was dedicated, all services performed by the Village would be provided to them. One resident said that the value of a house is based on what a buyer and seller agree to. He was of the opinion that a new house is not worth more (money) than an old house for the same price. Also, he said he did not agree with the formula that was used. Trustee Meiskin replied to the last statement by saying that in order to change the formula, it would have to be changed for everyone and Trustee Nardi added that would mean a total reassessment. A local resident stated that a reevaluation every so many years was the only fair way. She added that houses on Magnolia were assessed much lower than Candy Lane and they were on larger lots. In answer to a question raised, Mayor Kabcenell replied that if the Village or Town were reassessed, the amount of money coming into the Village would be the same; it would just be distributed more evenly. The old timers get the best deal, he added. A local homeowner said that prior to their closing, a $4,000 - $5,000 estimate was given but now their taxes are $6,000. It was his feeling that the builder should be able to project a more accurate figure even if it meant sitting down with the Assessor and discussing it. Trustee Nardi mentioned that the County Taxes went up and that was reflected in assessments also. Another speaker said that depreciation should not be considered in today's market because all homes sell for the same price and she suggested that the Assessor base it (assessments) on her own formula. To support this statement, a speaker said that the State should not let municipalities go so long without a reassessment. - 5 - 00099J February 16, 1988 Trustee Nardi pointed out that if there was a reassessment every five years, some people could be driven from their homes because of the increase in taxes. When asked what it costs the Village to service these 14 homes, Administrator Russo replied that the Village' s portion for Candy Lane is approximately $10,000. Trustee Meiskin added that school, town, state and county taxes come into the assessment also. Mayor Kabcenell stated that the real money was on the Town tax roll and if the Town did not reduce the assessment, any action the Village took would not have any effect. "We only want what is fair," a local resident stated and then questioned when services would be available to them. When it has been determined that the road meets all specifications and the builder offers the street for dedication, Mayor Kabcenell replied. If any residents were not happy with the Village's decision (regarding the assessment) , a separate grievance would have to be filed with the Town, Mayor Kabcenell stated. Some discussion followed regarding the bright street lights on Candy Lane and Administrator Russo announced that he would be meeting with a representative from Con Edison to review the specifications for street lighting. Trustee Filipowski reminded the audience not to leave anything to chance (regarding their assessment) and urged them to follow up with a letter to the Town Assessor before June 1st. Mayor Kabcenell concluded by assuring the audience that the Board was not an adversarial Board; that the Trustees lived here and were here to listen to what the residents had to say. He invited everyone to come again even if they did not have a problem! A gentleman asked the Mayor why he got an increase for an above-ground pool. Mayor Kabcenell stated he did not know and requested that he fill out the grievance form. - 6 - 000994 February 16, 1988 RECONVENE - Board of Trustees With no one else desiring to be heard, and on motion duly made and seconded, the Board of Assessment Review was adjourned and the Board of Trustees reconvened in the meeting room to discuss personnel matters. ADJOURNMENT Since no one else appeared to file a grievance, and on motion by Mayor Kabcenell, seconded by Trustee Cresenzi, with a unanimous vote of the Board, it was resolved to adjourn the meeting of the Board of Assessment Review at 10:00 P.M. Respectfully submitted, 7 Jean A. Marra Deputy Village Clerk - 7 -