Board of Assessors Minutes

TOWN OF LITTLETON
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 3, 2020
12:00 PM
BOARD OF ASSESSORS MEETING
REMOTE MEETING

Present:  Town Manager Andrew Dorsett, Chairman Carrie Gendreau, Vice Chairman Chad Stearns, Selectman Roger Emerson, Executive Secretary Ceil Stubbings, George Lickiss (KRT Assessing)

Gendreau called the meeting to order at 12:00 PM

Abatement #3218
Waldemar Poulsen, Meadow Street, Tax Map 99-2, Tax Year 2019, Assessment $128,000, Requested Abatement Amount $2,351.58.  The owner requests an abatement due to their opinion the lot is not buildable under current zoning ordinances.  The property was purchased with lots 99-4 and 98-7 for a price of $175,000.  The purchase price seems to support a reduction in the parcel’s assessment.  After correcting the tax card to reflect the card be unbuildable the assessment is reduced by $101,800 to $26,200.  It is recommended an abatement in the amount of $2,351.58 be granted.  Stearns made the motion to approve the abatement in the amount of $2,351.58.  Emerson seconded the motion.  Motion passed 3-0.

Abatement #3219
Scott E. Ridlon, 50 Corey’s MH Park, Tax Map 80-195, Tax Year 2019, Assessment $45,100, Requested Abatement Amount $210.21.  The subject property is a manufactured home.  The owner requests an abatement due to the age of the manufactured home.  A review of the sales of manufactured homes and the price of new homes show the value is overstated.  The review suggests a value of $36,000. It is recommended an abatement in the amount of $210.21 be granted.  Stearns made the motion to approve the abatement in the amount of $251.21.  Emerson seconded the motion.  Motion passed 3-0.

Abatement #3220
Carol A. Ridlon, Meadow Street, Tax Map 101-1, Tax Year 2019, Assessment $2,700, Requested Assessment to be changed to $900.  The subject property is a vacant parcel along the river.  The owner requests an abatement due to their opinion that the lot cannot be used for anything.  It is their opinion that the lot is worth $900.  No documentation of information was provided to support their opinion of value.  We currently have the parcel assessed as a non-buildable lot as was adjusted for the abatement filed in 2018.  It is recommended the abatement request be denied.  Stearns made the motion to deny the abatement request.  Emerson seconded the motion.  Motion to deny passed 3-0.

Abatement #3221
Janelle and Coty Hubbard, 1437 Mt. Eustis Road, Tax Map 102-3, Tax Year 2019, Assessment $187,100, Requested Abatement Amount $593.67. The subject property is a ranch style home on a 5.17 acre parcel.  The reason for the abatement request is the owner’s concern with the assessment compared with the purchase price of $144,000 on 5/30/2019 and an appraisal value indication of $148,000 as of 4/16/2019.  I reviewed the documentation provided and made corrections.  After adjustment and correction the assessment is reduced by $25,700 to $161,400.  It is recommended an abatement in the amount of $593.67 be granted.  Stearns made the motion to approve the abatement in the amount of $593.67.  Emerson seconded the motion.  Motion passed 3-0.

Abatement #3222
David & Melinda Aubin, 67 Mount Misery Rd., Tax Map 6-19, Tax Year 2019, Assessment $140,000.  Requested Abatement Amount $462.00.  The subject property is a commercial shop on 6.73 acres.  The property owner believes the value is inappropriate due to the purchase of the property for $120,000 on 4/25/2018.  The best indication of value is the purchase price.  This results in an abatement in the amount of $462.00.  It is recommended the abatement in the amount of $462.00 be granted.  Stearns made the motion to approve the abatement in the amount of $462.00.  Emerson seconded the motion.  Motion passed 3-0.

Abatement #3223
David & Melinda Aubin, 62 Mt. Misery Rd., Tax Map 6-9-11, Tax Year 2019, Assessment $62,400, Requested Abatement Amount $693.00.  The subject property is a manufactured home on 7.83 acres.  The property owner believes the value is inappropriate due to the condition of the mobile home and the outbuildings.  The mobile home and storage trailer are in such poor condition that they have no value and were removed in 2018.  This property should be valued by land only.  This results in an abatement in the amount of $693.00.  It is recommended the abatement in the amount of $693.00 be granted.  Stearns made the motion to approve the abatement in the amount of $693.00.  Emerson seconded the motion.  Motion passed 3-0.

Abatement #3224
David & Melinda Aubin, 560 Hilltop Rd., Tax Map 43-10, Tax Year 2019, Assessment $212,100, Requested Abatement Amount $683.76.  The property is a cape-cod style home on 3.20 acres.  The owner believes the value is inappropriate due to the inventory being incorrect and the sales of properties nearby.  In reviewing the information provided the number of bedrooms need to be hanged to 2, the hot tub needs to be reduced in value due to its age and the street index needs to be corrected.  After making the corrections the value changed to $182,500.  It is recommended the abatement in the amount of $683.76 be granted.  Stearns made the motion to approve the abatement in the amount of $683.76.  Emerson seconded the motion.  Motion passed 3-0.  

Abatement #3225
Matthew Hawkins, 62 Farr Hill Rd., Tax Map 65-44, Tax Year 2019, Assessment $116,700, Requested Abatement Amount $967.89.  The subject property is a conventional style home on 0.52 acres.  The owner believes the value is inappropriate due to the condition of the house that is in the process of being remodeled. In looking at the photos provided by the owner the house should have condition of UC at 25%. After adjustments the assessment is reduced by $41,900.  It is recommended an abatement in the amount of $967.89 be granted.  Stearns made the motion to approve the abatement in the amount of $967.89.  Emerson seconded the motion.  Motion passed 3-0.

Abatement #3226
North Country Manor LLC, 71 School St., Tax Map 78-116, Tax Year 2019,, Assessment $654,400, Requested Abatement Amount $6,558.09.  The property is a nursing home on 1.80 acres.  The owner requests an abatement due to the property is no longer an assisted living.  A physical inspection was made of the property and it was used as an assisted living home prior but now it no longer requires licensing under RSA 151:2, section 1, part e and is a single family residence with 1 boarder.  By reclassifying to a single family it would suggest a value of $375,500.  After reclassifying the assessment it was reduced by $283,900.  It is recommended an abatement in the amount of $6,558.09 be granted.  Stearns made the motion to approve the abatement in the amount of $6,558.09.  Emerson seconded the motion.  Motion passed 3-0.

Abatement #3228
Cornerstone Investments, LLC, 75 Bronson St., Tax Map 84-117, Tax Year 2019, Assessment $328,000, Requested Abatement Amount $1,432.20.  The property is a commercial building on 1.70 acres in a residential zoned area.  The owner believes the land value is inappropriate.  In reviewing how the land is valued, it was noticed the land was valued as if in a commercial area.  The land is zoned as residential and should be valued as such.  The assessment is reduced by $62,000.  It is recommended an abatement in the amount of $1,432.20 be granted.  Gendreau recused herself from the vote due to the owner of the property owner being a relative.  Stearns made the motion to approve the abatement in the amount of $1,432.20.  Emerson seconded the motion.  Motion passed 2-1 abstention.  

Abatement #3229
King L. Covey Trustee, 9 Elm St., Tax Map 78-26, Tax Year 2019, Assessment $45,300.  Requested Abatement Amount $468.93.  The property is a vacant 0.26 acre lot.  The owner believes the value is inappropriate due to the selling price of $25,000 in January 2020.  This is the best indication of value.  The assessment is reduced by $20,300.  It is recommended an abatement in the amount of $468.93 be granted.  Stearns made the motion to approve the abatement in the amount of $468.93.  Emerson seconded the motion.  Motion passed 3-0.

Abatement #3231
Willow Street Associates, 35 Crane Street, Tax Map 85-75, Tax Year 2019, Assessment $1,377,950.  Requested Abatement Amount $1,818.86.  The property is the Crane Street Court apartments.  The reason for the abatement request is the taxpayer’s opinion that the property is assessed at a value greater than the fair market value.  However, this property is valued according to RSA 71:1-a, under the Low Income Housing Tax Credit Program.  The 2019 assessment is based on the audited financial statements provided by the taxpayer and on form (PA-67) created by the state.  This form uses data set by the NHDRA and the New Hampshire Housing Finance Authority as provided and given authority under the statute.  It was determined their assessment should be based on 10% of the actual income.  Their income was slightly overstated in the original calculation.  Their assessment was reduced by $78,730 with a new assessment of $1,299,220.  It is recommended an abatement in the amount of $1,818.86 be granted.  Stearns made the motion to approve the abatement in the amount of $1,818.86.  Emerson seconded the motion.  Motion passed 3-0.

Abatement #3232
Jeffery L. Winn, 354 Pleasant Street, Tax Map 67-43, Tax Year 2019, Assessment $37,300.  Requested Abatement Amount $464.31.  The property is a vacant 0.67 acre parcel.  The reason for the abatement request is the owner’s concern with the property being in the flood plain.  The location was reviewed and verified it is in the flood plain and is subject to the building requirements of the Town of Littleton.  After the adjustment and correction the assessment is reduced by $20,100 to $17,200.  It is recommended an abatement in the amount of $464.31 be granted.  Gendreau recused herself from voting due to the property owner being a relative.  Emerson made the motion to approve the abatement in the amount of $464.31.  Stearns seconded the motion.  Motion passed 2-1 abstention.

Abatement #3234
TINN Holdings LLC, 107-111 Main Street, Tax Map 78-256, Tax Year 2019, Assessment $1,086,300, Requested Abatement Amount $13,474.23.  The property is the Thayer’s Inn consisting of 35 rooms with a restaurant.  The reason for the abatement request is the taxpayer’s opinion that the property is assessed at a value greater than the fair market value based upon a supplied appraisal (Value Established Real Estate $580,000) and the purchase price of $500,000 on 06/28/2019.  Based on the information in the appraisal and supported by the purchase price, it was determined that the functional obsolescence should be put at 35%, which results in the assessment being reduced by $583,300 from $1,086,300 to $503,000.  It is recommended an abatement in the amount of $13,474.23 be granted.  
Stearns made the motion to approve the abatement in the amount of $13,474.23.  Emerson seconded the motion.  Motion passed 3-0.