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Posted 2/24/2006	Farm Exemptions The Town of Tolland  assessors office  is seeking the name of towns that have enacted a local ordinance as provided in  P.A. 94-201 /P.A.93-254 which allows the  exempting up to 50% of the property taxes on certain  types of  farm properties (Dairy, fruit orchards or wine grape vineyards) and the exemptions of up to $100,000 in farm use buildings. If your town has approved this local option could you send a copy  of the ordinance to wlawrence@tolland.org.
Posted 2/21/2006	Planned Unit Developments The Town of Morris is looking for information regarding the valuation of a waterfront gated community (or PUD) with common areas & by-laws.  What method is used to assess the common areas?   If anyone has information, please let us know. It would be greatly appreciated.  Morrisassessor@optonline.net  Phone: 860-567-6096 / Fax 860-567-7432  Michele McLaughlin, CCMA I, Assessor, Town of Morris
Posted 2/17/2006	Tax Fixing Agreement Tom Browne responded to my last inquiry concerning tax fixing agreements on real estate of custodians for disabled, directing me to 12-65g.   Has any town, other than Fairfield, adopted this municipal ordinance?     jan.neumuth@wethersfieldct.com Jan Neumuth, CCMA II, Assessor, Town of Wethersfield, 860-721-2812.
Posted 2/15/2006	Land Conservation Easements The Town of Voluntown is seeking information concerning valuation of Land Conservation Easements. If anyone has information regarding this, please let us know. It would be appreciated. Phone: 860-376-3927  Fax: 860-376-3925  e-mail: mperinger@peoplepc.com  or bgauthier02@snet.net
Posted 1/13/2006	GIS Handheld Device Please let me know if anyone is using a GIS handheld device.  If so, what type and are you satisfied with it?  Thanks,  Joyce Jacius, Enfield Assessor       Phone (860) 253-6338 or  email jjacius@enfield.org
Posted 1/11/2006	I have two (2) previously exempted properties that did not file the M-3 within the statutory limit this year. The Charlotte Hungerford Hospital files under 12-81(16) and did not return the M-3 until January 4, 2006. The Northwest Association for the Arts (Warner Theater) files under12-81(7) and did not return the M-3 until January 9,2006.  Under CGS 12-87(a) I am allowed to grant an extension for late filing, in addition to charging a $35.00 late fee, if filed within sixty (60) days. (January 2, was sixty (60) days.) These are two very large organizations. Has anyone any knowledge of any other statute that may allow an exemption under these circumstances? Donna L. Patchen, CCMA II, Assessor for Torrington, Ph: 860 489-2351 fax: 860 496-5907 or email: donna_patchen@torringtonct.org
Posted 1/10/2006	Has anyone any information on TAX CREDITS for real estate modifications for a taxpayer with CUSTODIAL CARE OF A TOTALLY DISABLED PERSON???  I am not aware of any statute allowing such a thing, but a new Council member wants to introduce it as new resolution. Jan Neumuth, CCMA II, Assessor, Town of Wethersfield Phone 860-721-2812        Fax 860-721-2813     jan.neumuth@wethersfieldct.com
Posted 11/1/2005	Exemption Question Maybe someone can shed light on the the housing part of 12-81 (7).  Do homes owned by tax exempt organizations that house mentally and/or physically challenged persons qualify for an exemption?  Do they not qualify if the organization receives subsidies for the housing from federal, state or local government.  Are the clients of this organization low income and thus the homes do not qualify; or are these homes exempt by virtue that the client’s housing is because of their personal challenges not their income status? How about property owned by organizations that are just holding the land to keep it from development?  Does that constitute a ‘charity’? Melissa Bonin  mbonin@killinglyct.org
Posted 11/1/2005	Exemption Question The Salvation Army is stating they are a religious organization.  I have them exempt on their commercial properties. They want an exemption on a house they own claiming it is the officers residence.  I don't think this should be exempt. Housatonic Habitat for Humanity-  They feel they are exempt as soon as they purchase land and it should stay exempt until the  houses are built and sold.  Does anyone else deal with them and do you exempt them at the beginning when it is just land. Any suggestions will help!  Thanks Colleen   c.velez@ci.danbury.ct.us
Posted 10/26/2005	If a utility company - a gas or water company- abandon pipes/mains, but leave them in the ground, are they still taxable? And does anyone have this situation or does everyone have this situation?   If anyone knows the answer or has an opinion on this could they please email me.   Betsy A. Quist, CCMA II, Assessor, Town of Woodbridge, bquist@ci.woodbridge.ct.us 203-389-3417 (O) 203-389-3480 (F)
Posted 10/12/2005	I have a facility that trains German dressage horses. Now they are importing horses that they plan to sell.  Their accountant wants to list them as inventory.  Has anyone had this situation?  Please reply to:  Barbara Johnson, Town of Washington Assessor.  Phone (860) 868-0398.
Posted 10/7/2005	Personal Property Question - Earthen Dam Is any Assessor assessing small earthen dams on taxpayer's property as personal property?  I am not interested in the big water company type, only small ones.  Eva Lintzner, Assessor of Oxford (203) 888-2543
Posted 7/28/2005	Local Option - Veteran & Special Housing I would like to be contacted by any Assessor who's municipality administers the local option allowing total exemption for residence with respect to which a veteran has received assistance for special housing under Title 38 of the United States Code. CGS 12-81(21)(C) George Hlavacek, Assessor Town of Brookfield  GHlavacek@brookfield.org
Posted 7/26/2005	Tablet PC Information The Town of Tolland Assessor is seeking information from any assessor’s office that is currently or has in the past used the stylistic ST Series 5021Tablet PC for field work. What are the advantages and disadvantages? Is it cost effective, does it save you time? Please send your response to Walter Lawrence wlawrence@tolland.org
Posted 6/2/2005	Assisted Living Exempt Status Requesting information on Assisted Living Facilities who applied for exempt status.  We have two facilities seeking exemption.  They are both 501c corporations and have apartments, assisted living, nursing home & Alzheimer facilities on the premises.    I would appreciate any info on any appeals and supporting information for denial.  Wendy Leone, Acting Assessor, Town of Bloomfield. wleone@bloomfieldct.org  (860)769-3529
Posted 5/27/2005	Xerox Personal Property Appeal Has anyone had a lawsuit filed against them from the Xerox Corporation or Xerox Equipment Lease regarding Personal Property?  If so please contact Jane Dickman Buden at jbuden@plainville-ct.gov or call at 860-793-0221, ext 242.
Posted 5/11/2005	Residential Tax Abatement Has your town has implemented the local option to abate taxes on residences exceeding 8% of occupants income under Connecticut General Statute 124a? Please contact Walter Topliff, Assessor of Mansfield.  E-mail Topliffwe@mansfieldct.org or phone (860) 429-3310
Posted 5/11/2005	Tax Abatement - Low & Moderate Income Housing The Town of Westport is considering an ordinance regarding a tax abatement for low and moderate income housing. I'm curious as to who else may have this ordinance and how it reads and how it's handled by the Assessor and Collector. Please respond to Bill Gaffney by e-mail or phone at (203) 341-1135
Posted 5/2/2005	Tax Abatements for Historical Property Has any municipality has ever adopted sec. 12-127a "abatement on taxes on structures of historical or architectural merit"? If so, could they contact me and forward a copy of their ordinance and any guidelines they have implemented.   John Chaponis, Assessor of Colchester. e-mail assessor@colchesterct.org or phone (860) 537-7205
Posted 5/2/2005	Office Policy & Procedures The Town of Wolcott is developing an Office Policy and Procedures Handbook for the Assessor's Office.  Does anyone already have OPP's which we could review to help us develop our OPP's.  Thank you. Please contact: Pam Deziel    phone (203) 879-8100   fax (203) 879-8105    email: assesssor@wolcottct.org
Posted 4/5/2005	Town Charter Revision The Town of East Windsor is in the process of revising the Town Charter – One of the issues is whether the budget vote should be split (Town Government / Education).  I would like to hear from Assessors who work for Towns which have split their Budgets and what affect it had on the budget approval, their work, etc. Thank you, Carol Madore   Phone(860) 623-8878  Fax (860) 623-4798
Posted 1/25/2005	RE: State Statute §12-81x The legislative body of any municipality may establish, by ordinance, a program to abate all or a portion of the property taxes due with respect to real property owned and occupied as the principal residence of the surviving spouse of a police officer or firefighter who dies while in the performance of such officer's or firefighter's duties.  Section 12-81x Question:  Does any Town or City have such an ordinance and if so would you send or e-mail a copy of the ordinance to Joe Ferraro, Assessor, Town of Berlin.  (860) 828-7167