TOWN OF MANCHESTER, VERMONT
BOARD OF ABATEMENT MINUTES
April 13, 2022
BOARD ATTENDEES: Cynthia Kilburn, Frank Kropa, Rebecca Nawrath, Barbara Powers, Martha Heilemann, Gordon Black, Ruth, Hoffman, Anita Sheldon, Laura Streiber, Wayne Bell, Kelsey Towslee, Laurie Kunz
ABSENT: Leslie Burg, Alison Hill, Ivan Beattie, Heidi Chamberlain, Greg Cutler, Jan Nolan, Brian Vogel
TOWN STAFF ATTENDEES: None
PUBLIC ATTENDEES: Walli Blumm, Harvey Blumm, Tyler Gebhardt
Cynthia Kilburn called the meeting to order at 5:07 PM.
MINUTES OF JANUARY 25, 2022
Powers moved, seconded by Black, to approve the minutes of January 23, 2022 as presented. Motion carried unanimously.
ABATEMENT HEARINGS
Kilburn gave a brief overview of the tax abatement process.
Walli & Harvey Blumm - 104 Hillcrest Road
Kilburn administered the oath to Walli Blumm. Harvey Blumm was present via zoom. Nawrath recused herself due to a conflict of interest. W. Blumm read the abatement request letter submitted on February 23, 2022 (attached). Blumm acknowledged she thought the “inability to pay” may be for financial reasons, but wanted to discuss it with the board as they were unable to physically get to Town Hall due to the winter snowstorm on February 4, 2022. Heilemann asked if Blumm was asking for a full abatement of penalty and interest, and Blumm confirmed. Harvey Blumm stated the winter storm on the tax deadline made it impossible to drive to Town Hall.
Lori and Robert Morse were not present at 5:20pm. Kilburn suggested the board hear the Gebhardt/Beeche abatement request following the Blumm hearing, providing Lori and Robert Morse additional time to attend the meeting in person or via zoom.
Tyler & Alexandria Gebhardt and Greg Beeche - 2575 Bonnet Street
Kiburn administered the oath to Tyler Gebhardt. Gebhardt provided an overview of his written request (attached). Gebhardt stated his mail was not picked up Thursday, Friday and Saturday due to the winter snowstorm on February 4, 2022. Once he discovered the mail had not been picked up on February 5, 2022, he brought the tax payment to the post office. Gebhardt did not believe he should be held responsible for penalties and interest due to the winter snowstorm and asked for abatement of penalties and interest.
Lori & Robert Morse - 117 Nottingham Park
Lori and Robert Morse were not present after the Gebhardt/Beeche hearing. Kilburn read the letter submitted on February 23, 2022.
Powers moved, seconded by Heilemann, to go into deliberative session at 5:25 PM. The board came out of deliberative session at 5:46 PM.
Powers moved, seconded by Hoffman, to deny the abatement request for Walli and Harvey Blumm, as it did not meet the statutory criteria for abatement. Motion carried 11-0 with Nawrath recusing herself due to a conflict of interest.
Powers moved, seconded by Black, to deny the abatement request for Lori and Robert Morse, as it did not meet the statutory criteria for abatement. Motion carried unanimously.
Powers moved, seconded by Sheldon, to deny the abatement request for Tyler and Alexandria Gebhardt and Greg Beeche, as it did not meet the statutory criteria for abatement. Motion carried unanimously.
OTHER BUSINESS
Sheldon proposed to schedule abatement hearings every four months for the convenience of constituents and the Board. Kropa moved to schedule a meeting every 4 months on the first Wednesday of the month beginning at 5:30 PM, seconded by Nawrath. Motion carried unanimously.
Kunz commented on the lack of explanation under state statutes, causing confusion for constituents.
With no further business, Kropa moved, seconded by Nawrath to adjourn at 5:57 PM.
________________________________________________
Anita L. Sheldon, CMC/CVC
Clerk, Board of Abatement