Manchester BCA elects chair, adopts hearing rules and grievance form

The Town of Manchester Board of Civil Authority elected Richard Long as chair and Rebecca "Becky" Nawrath as vice chair at its organizational meeting July 29, a motion moved by Barbara Powers and seconded by Anita L. Sheldon that the board approved unanimously.

The board also ratified several items intended to govern this year's tax-appeal process. Members unanimously approved an Application for Grievance Hearing form and adopted Rules of Conduct and Procedure for property tax assessment appeal hearings. The rules set a minimum quorum of three members for appeals, require disclosure and recusal for conflicts of interest, limit each hearing to roughly 20 minutes on the published agenda, and authorize the chair to appoint a three-member inspection committee to inspect properties. The rules contain the timeline required by state law: the inspection committee reports within 30 days and the BCA issues a written decision within 15 days of that report.

An informational handout approved by the board explains the hearing sequence to taxpayers: the appellant will present (about five minutes), the assessor will present (about five minutes), then there will be a brief question period. The handout also reminds appellants that the burden of proof is on them and that, if an inspection is refused, the appeal may be deemed withdrawn. The handout and the rules reference the state appeal route under 32 V.S.A. § 4461 for anyone dissatisfied with a BCA decision.

The clerk, Anita L. Sheldon, is listed in meeting materials as the contact for further information and for filing appeals.