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RFH 2010, Town of Hamilton

Town Asks for State Legislation to Dump Reval

Sat, May 14, 2011

Town Asks for State Legislation to Dump Reval

The Hamilton Town Board is asking the state to do what the board itself cannot: get rid of the controversial property revaluation that has driven large property tax assessments and even larger complaints.

The board voted Thursday night to have Trustee David Holcomb work with Assemblyman Bill Magee and Senator Dave Valesky -- whose districts include the town -- to introduce legislation in Albany that would vacate the revaluation and begin the process anew. Any such bill(s) would have to pass both houses and be signed by the governor before July 1.

This request for legislative relief comes after Assessor Dave Roach refused to throw out the reassessment done by Maxwell Appraisal Service of Syracuse. The board voted Monday night to ask Roach to start the process again.

Holcomb said similar legislation was approved three years ago to throw out a likewise controversial revaluation in the Town of Cohoes near Albany.

"I hope there is enough evidence that it can be put through and approved quickly," said Holcomb.

The request for help from Magee and Valesky comes a little less than a week after group of protesters showed up at the opening of the village Farmers' Market, at which the two legislators spoke.

Holcomb urged town residents to call or Magee (518-455-4807) and Valesky (518-455-2838) to express their concerns about the revaluation.

Holcomb, who has become the elected voice of opposition to Roach, Maxwell and the property revaluation, has concerns of his own about what is happening in the town -- and in the assessment review process -- because of the rancor that has grown from it in the past month.

This was evident at Thursday's meeting. Supervisor Bob Kuiper reportedly told Hubbardsville landowner Mike Hotaling to go ahead and make good on his threat to sue the town over the reassessment. Hotaling had suggested he would file suit at Monday's meeting.

Holcomb and others also question how the Maxwell Appraisal Service could do the work it did for the price it charged the town. Holcomb said Maxwell's price of $52,000 was exceedingly low compared to the next lowest price, which was $120,000.

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