Selectboard authorizes stipulation with VTel to bypass local Board of Civil Authority in valuation appeal

The Selectboard discussed VTel’s appeal of its property valuation after the State reclassified what was formerly Business Personal Property as real property and set an assessed value (recorded in the minutes as $44,900). The Town explained it no longer sets the assessment for telecommunications property, so it has limited grounds to contest the valuation. The board voted to stipulate with VTel to bypass the Board of Civil Authority in appeal proceedings and authorized the Chair to execute the stipulation; the motion passed unanimously.

The action formalizes a procedural path consistent with the State’s new valuation framework for telecommunications property; the minutes do not record further negotiation terms beyond authorization to stipulate and to have the Chair sign the document.