Chester residents challenge town property assessments at hearing
More than 100 property owners voiced complaints at a Chester grievance hearing about a recent town wide appraisal. Homeowners cited inequities with new developments and drastic increases in value, with several cases showing sixfold rises. A local broker argued for individual appraisals, while the firm defended mass assessment methods and pledged corrections after review. The board will report findings to the town assessor, then to Albany, with tax rates to be set after Albany’s review.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Chester
Surrey Meadows
Gloria Bilcik
Alfred Fox
Rendick Meola
Middletown
Meola
Cole, Layer and Trumble
Doug Smith
Smith
William Minneman
Albany
Minneman
Newburgh Tax Hikes Put Council In Kind Pressure
The Newburgh council battles a yearlong reassessment by Verner Christiansen, with hikes up to 131 percent. Officials seek to void or modify the rolls as 2,800 landowners complain. The council faces resignations on the board of assessment review and contemplates expanding the panel while awaiting legal guidance. Local homeowners organize a taxpayers group led by Middletown attorney Michael Garcia as relief efforts unfold.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Newburgh
Verner Christiansen
Samuel G. Cerone
Malcolm J. Carey
Carey
William E. McEvilly
Review
McEvilly
Jeanette Kunker
State Board of Equalization and Assessments
Christiansen
Eldred P. Carhart
Daniel O'Leary
Stephen C. Patterson
Orange County
Orange County Taxpayers Association
Middletown
Michael Garcia
George McKneally
Garcia
George J. Shaw, Jr
Theodore W. Maurer
Rainy Middletown Streets See Umbrellas Multiply
Rain showers soak North and East Main Streets in Middletown as pedestrians navigate wet sidewalks and soggy ground. The weatherman warns more rain to come today, with forecasts matching the damp scene. Photo credit Paul Updike.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Middletown
Paul Updike
Wallkill tax board weighs Orange County Fair protest
The Wallkill tax grievance board will consider a Tuesday protest by the Orange County Agricultural Society over assessed values for three parcels tied to the Orange County Fair. The society argues non profit status while the assessor lists parcels to Middletown Wallkill Improvement Corp. and the agricultural society. A ruling is expected before July 15.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Silver Lake
Wallkill
Orange County Agricultural Society
Orange County
Kermit Lewis
Howells
Lewis
Michael Garcia
Middletown
Middletown-Wallkill Improvement Corp
The
Agricultural Society
Improvement Company
Critics descend on eastern Orange crowd Cornwall review boards
State mandated assessment review boards in eastern Orange County towns drew many complaints about over or under assessed properties. In Cornwall the five man board logged 90 mailed grievances and 30 in person while landowners must file notarized complaints by a set deadline. The process, separating assessor from the board, aims to improve accountability and dialogue as boards hear each case with the assessor present and request further documentation if needed.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Cornwall
Orange County
James Lyle
Newburgh
Highlands
New Windsor
Leif Halvorsen
Clouser
Also Mentioned on This Page
Chester Assessment Panel
Judith Cartwright
Board of Review
Council
County Department of Finance and Taxation
Jack L. Clouser
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