PROPERTY TAX APPEAL GRIEVANCE HEARINGS FOR WESTFIELD
• JUNE 12 BY APPOINTMENT STARTING AT 9 A.M.
•Deadline to file for a Grievance Hearing is June 7, 2021.
•Visit www.westfield.vt.gov for more details OR email westfieldlisters@gmail.com

•ABOUT THE PROCESS:
Every year, the Listers prepare the town's Grand List which is a list of all of the real property and in the town and the appraised valuation of that property. Any aggrieved person who disagrees with the Listers' appraisal can request a hearing before the Listers. 32 V.S.A. § 4221 [1]. If the appealer is not satisfied with the written decision the Listers issue following that hearing, they may appeal to the Board of Civil Authority (BCA). 32 V.S.A. § 4404(a). 32 V.S.A. § 4404(a) [2].

The BCA for each town consists of the Town Clerk, the Selectboard, and the Justices of the Peace. 24 V.S.A. § 801. The BCA must hold a hearing and conduct a site inspection of every parcel of property that is the subject of an appeal. 32 V.S.A.§ 4404(c) [2]. The BCA may sustain, increase, or decrease the value of the property set by the Listers. 32 V.S.A § 4409 [3]. A decision issued by the BCA may be appealed to the State Appraiser or to Superior Court. 32 V.S.A.§ 4461 [4].

Letters were mailed on May 22, 2021 to all Westfield property owners whose property value changed (either increased or decreased). Every property owner in Westfield has an opportunity to grieve tax values during this period, even if your property value didn't change.

Please visit the town's website listed above for more information and the required forms. Complete and submit the Application for Grievance to the Westfield Town Office (38 School Street) or email to westfieldlisters@gmail.com and you will be contacted by a Lister (Danny Young, Scott Dunn or Shelley Martin) to set up a phone appointment. The deadline to file for a Westfield Grievance Hearing is June 7, 2021. Be advised, this process only happens once a year so don't delay in filing for your hearing.