I just can't get it right ....or do I ? At the last Town Council Meeting, I voted no to selling Willowbrook School because The Mayor is the driving force to sell this building, I am told, to lower the need for tax increases don't get me wrong, lowering taxes or not raising taxes is a good thing but not by selling off our buildings. A friend of mine wants to know what we will sell next our Town Hall ? hey it's old maybe someone wants it!!!
Another reason, I voted no is that the Board of Education has no idea where they will put the programs that are in Willowbrook there are many places, it could go, the Chairman of the Board of Education told us. We are talking about little guys whose parents may be working after dropping off their children at this program. We have plenty of time to decide where to put the program ??? I don't think so !!! As important, is what will it cost to put this program someplace else ? Where is that SOMEPLACE ELSE ?
Usually, when you sell your home, you know where you are going to live and what you can bring with you and what you will have to buy. Ever been involved with a business that is moving ? They plan for every square inch of the new place! IT IS CALLED PLANNING AND YOU DON'T WAIT UNTIL THE BUILDING IS SOLD, REGARDLESS OF HOW MUCH TIME YOU CAN LEASE THE BUILDING BECAUSE EVENTUALLY THE LEASES END AND YOU NEED TO KNOW THIS STUFF BEFORE! MAYBE NOT SELLING WAS THE BEST ANSWER IF YOU THOUGHT IT ALL OUT BUT SAYING THERE IS PLENTY OF TIME TO DECIDE LATER IS NOT RESPONSIBLE! Selling when the Market is low is another reason I voted no! I voted NO but the item passed and went on to the TPZ who overwhelmingly said yes. Good property for a school, so it will be back to the Town Council for the Final Vote to Sell (8/17/10)!
Then there was Hoffman Motors who want a tax break when they make improvements to one of their buildings on the Conn. Blvd. Good Corporate Neighbors, but Tax Breaks when people are out of work and can't afford to pay for food, never mind their taxes, can't do it!
Again, I was in the minority with my vote against but it passed. The matter of giving raises to our Principals couldn't vote yes to that either, but it was approved. Remember that our principals are in the top 20 highest paid employees in the town of East Hartford.
Putting a drug store on the corner of Forbes and Silver Lane no again! Development is welcomed in town by me but safety issues on that corner turned me off. I'd like to vote with my fellow Town Council Members some of the time on SENSITIVE ISSUES, LIKE THESE, but I just can't do it!
Just can't get it right, I guess or maybe I'm right! Guess I'll have to depend on the citizens to let me know. Keep that phone ringing at 860-568-8930. As usual I'm always happy to listen to our residents !
Speaking Out
Response on Revaluations
I read with interest last week’s letter to the Gazette in order to ‘correct’ me, written by the town’s Assessor, Brian Smith.
What piqued my interest was the resolve used to redirect the public’s eye from a 'right’ they possess to focus in on an idea solely purposed for something else. Mr. Smith begins the letter by stating my incorrect stance on the procedures and responsibilities of the Town’s Board of Assessment and Appeals - which I must add that these are the same procedures embodied by this Board for years - Assessor Smith cites to proves his point Connecticut General Statutes 12-62 (b) (1)
“…The town shall use assessments derived from each such revaluation for the purpose of levying property taxes for the assessment year in which such revaluation is effective and for each assessment year that follows until the ensuing revaluation becomes effective.”
While Mr. Smith’s assessment of this statute is correct, the statute refers to his responsibilities as Assessor for the town as it directly relates to re-evaluation.
What Mr. Smith fails to convey is that this has nothing to do with property owner’s right to appeal their assessments with the Town’s Board of Assessments and Appeals.
Again, to cite CGS 12-111 entitled “Appeals to Board of Assessment Appeals”:
“(a) Any person, including any lessee of real property whose lease has been recorded as provided in section 47-19 and who is bound under the terms of a lease to pay real property taxes and any person to whom title to such property has been transferred since the assessment date, claiming to be aggrieved by the doings of the assessors of such town may appeal there from to the board of assessment appeals. Such appeal shall be filed, in writing, on or before February twentieth. The written appeal shall include, but is not limited to, the property owner's name, name and position of the signer, description of the property which is the subject of the appeal, name and mailing address of the party to be sent all correspondence by the board of assessment appeals, reason for the appeal, appellant's estimate of value, signature of property owner, or duly authorized agent of the property owner, and date of signature. The board shall notify each aggrieved taxpayer who filed a written appeal in the proper form and in a timely manner, no later than March first immediately following the assessment date, of the date, time and place of the appeal hearing.”
In short, you, as a property owner in Connecticut have the right to appeal your assessments. This is by no terms a guarantee; however, I was hired to do a job that I intend to fulfill entirely. Just be aware that time is against you, you must have your appeal filed by February 20, 2009 at 4:30 p.m.
Forms are availiable at the East Hartford Town Assessor’s office. They will be more than happy to help, and give these forms to you.
Know your rights. Don’t be intimidated.
I am here to help in any way I can. Thank you for the opportunity to serve you.
If you have any questions feel free to call me at 860-568-1277 leave a message and I will get back to you or email me at ericforcouncil@snet.net
By Eric Thompson Sr.
TOWN COUNCIL (r)
Last Updated ( Thursday, 12 February 2009 13:17 )
Copyright © 2010 EHGAZETTE. All Rights Reserved.
