Ward 3 NPA — Burlington, VT
Date: 2026-04-15
Time: 18:30

Ward 3 Neighborhood Planning Assembly
 Wednesday, April 15, 2026, 6:30 PM
 Join in person: City Hall, Sharon Bushor Conference Room, 149 Church St.
 Join virtually: https://zoom.us/j/98644635243

Facilitator: Zach Cummings
6:30 pm Call to Order | 5 min
 Adopt the agenda and review meeting ground rules.
6:35 pm Ward 3 Priorities Discussion | 25 min
 A discussion about the NPA’s priorities as the relate to the City Council.
 • Ward 3 NPA Members
7:00 pm Bove’s Restaurant Redevelopment Project (Pearl St) | 20 min
 A presentation on a proposed housing development on the site of the former Bove’s restaurant.
 • Rick Bove
 • Dave Hartnett
7:20 pm Understanding Your Property Tax Bill | 30 min
 A presentation to help city residents understand their property taxes.
 • Katherine Schad, Chief Administrative Officer
7:50 pm How to Appeal Your Property Tax Assessment | 30 min
 A presentation to help city residents appeal their property tax assessment.
 • Jonathan Chapple-Sokol, Ward 1 NPA
8:20 pm Public Forum | 10 min
 An opportunity to share opinions, news, and events.
8:30 pm Adjourn
 Our next meeting is Wednesday, May 6.




Use the QR code to go to any of these links: Email us • Go to our website • Watch
meeting recordings on CCTV's website • Connect with us on Facebook or Instagram •
Request a time slot with the NPA Request Form • Links from this agenda
Appendix to the Agenda

Ward 3 NPA Ground Rules
  • Meetings should have clearly defined agenda and roles.
  • Honor Time limits: A best effort must be made to start on time, follow the agenda, and finish on time.
  • Wait to be recognized: Members may not speak until recognized by the moderator.
  • Listen to others: Make efforts to be an open-minded member of the group.
  • Respect the agenda and the process: Try to remain focused on the issue at hand.
  • Share your opinion respectfully: Speak out, but not over, others’ comments.
  • Treat people how you would like to be treated: Be respectful of everyone, including guests.

Public Forum Protocol
  • Community members will be required to sign up for the Public Forum before the start of the meeting
 consistent with the process used by the City Council.
  • Participants will have up to two (2) minutes to share their thoughts and will speak based upon the
 order in which the requests were received.
  • Participants may speak only for themselves and individual speakers will not be permitted to yield their
 time to other speakers.
  • Personal attacks will not be tolerated and the moderator reserves the right to limit comments that are
 disruptive and/or obscene.
  • Ward 3 residents will be given priority and, if there is still time, persons who live outside the ward will
 be provided an opportunity to speak.

Question-and-Answer Protocol
  • Please state your full name prior to asking your question.
  • Each participant will have thirty (30) seconds to ask one and only one question.
  • There will be no follow up questions so everyone has a chance to participate.
  • Ward 3 residents will be given priority.

Discussion and Debate Rules
  • Members may not speak until recognized by the moderator.
  • Each member will have a maximum of two (2) minutes to speak on questions before the NPA.
  • No member will be permitted to speak a second time until every member has had an opportunity to
 speak once.
  • No member will be permitted to speak a third time until every member has had an opportunity to
 speak twice.




 Appendix to agenda | Wards 3 NPA - Page 2

Ward 3 Neighborhood Planning Assembly
 Wednesday, April 15, 2026, 6:30 PM
 Join in person: City Hall, Sharon Bushor Conference Room, 149 Church St.
 Join virtually: https://zoom.us/j/98644635243

Facilitator: Zach Cummings
6:30 pm Call to Order | 5 min
 Adopt the agenda and review meeting ground rules.
6:35 pm Ward 3 Priorities Discussion | 25 min
 A discussion about the NPA’s priorities as the relate to the City Council.
 • Ward 3 NPA Members
7:00 pm Bove’s Restaurant Redevelopment Project (Pearl St) | 20 min
 A presentation on a proposed housing development on the site of the former Bove’s restaurant.
 • Rick Bove
 • Dave Hartnett
7:20 pm Understanding Your Property Tax Bill | 30 min
 A presentation to help city residents understand their property taxes.
 • Katherine Schad, Chief Administrative Officer
7:50 pm How to Appeal Your Property Tax Assessment | 30 min
 A presentation to help city residents appeal their property tax assessment.
 • Jonathan Chapple-Sokol, Ward 1 NPA
8:20 pm Public Forum | 10 min
 An opportunity to share opinions, news, and events.
8:30 pm Adjourn
 Our next meeting is Wednesday, May 6.




Use the QR code to go to any of these links: Email us • Go to our website • Watch
meeting recordings on CCTV's website • Connect with us on Facebook or Instagram •
Request a time slot with the NPA Request Form • Links from this agenda


 Page 1 of 21
Appendix to the Agenda

Ward 3 NPA Ground Rules
  • Meetings should have clearly defined agenda and roles.
  • Honor Time limits: A best effort must be made to start on time, follow the agenda, and finish on time.
  • Wait to be recognized: Members may not speak until recognized by the moderator.
  • Listen to others: Make efforts to be an open-minded member of the group.
  • Respect the agenda and the process: Try to remain focused on the issue at hand.
  • Share your opinion respectfully: Speak out, but not over, others’ comments.
  • Treat people how you would like to be treated: Be respectful of everyone, including guests.

Public Forum Protocol
  • Community members will be required to sign up for the Public Forum before the start of the meeting
 consistent with the process used by the City Council.
  • Participants will have up to two (2) minutes to share their thoughts and will speak based upon the
 order in which the requests were received.
  • Participants may speak only for themselves and individual speakers will not be permitted to yield their
 time to other speakers.
  • Personal attacks will not be tolerated and the moderator reserves the right to limit comments that are
 disruptive and/or obscene.
  • Ward 3 residents will be given priority and, if there is still time, persons who live outside the ward will
 be provided an opportunity to speak.

Question-and-Answer Protocol
  • Please state your full name prior to asking your question.
  • Each participant will have thirty (30) seconds to ask one and only one question.
  • There will be no follow up questions so everyone has a chance to participate.
  • Ward 3 residents will be given priority.

Discussion and Debate Rules
  • Members may not speak until recognized by the moderator.
  • Each member will have a maximum of two (2) minutes to speak on questions before the NPA.
  • No member will be permitted to speak a second time until every member has had an opportunity to
 speak once.
  • No member will be permitted to speak a third time until every member has had an opportunity to
 speak twice.




 Appendix to agenda | Wards 3 NPA - Page 2

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 Appealing Your Appraisal
 Ward 3
 15 April 2026

 Jonathan Chapple-Sokol
 Rob Gutman

 These are solely the opinions of the presenters, and do not
represent the views of any City office, board, commission or staff
 member and do not obligate the city in any way

This presentation is focused on residential property. We can talk
 about rentals and commercial property as well, if you have
 questions
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This From the Assessors Web Page
https://www.burlingtonvt.gov/166/Assessors-Office


• General Property Value Updates (non-reappraisal project annual
  work)

• The Office of the Assessor staff may call you and/or email a request
  for a property inspection as a result of recent improvements made to
  your property. Most often our request comes from a review of
  permitted improvements reviewed through Open Gov software. This
  is the same software that the Department of Permit and Inspections
  uses. Our office uses other means of property review such as driving
  through sections of the city and sales review. These types of reviews
  may result in a request for inspection from our office.

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 Why Me?
• The City reappraises some properties in years between city-wide re-appraisals for a
  number of reasons
 • First, pat yourself on the back – you are a homeowner! Renters do not get to appeal their
 landlords’reappraisals (though maybe they should?)

 • You may have closed permits in the past year, indicating completion of work you did on your home.

 • Publicly available information on sales, or your property does not match the records the City has (extra
 bathroom, finished basement,…) This may suggest there have been unpermitted improvements done to
 your home (note that even if you bought the home and haven’t done any work on it, you still may be
 responsible for work the prior owner did.

 • The City may discover an error or inconsistency in their records that they need to correct.

 • Schedules on permits may suggest work is complete even if the permit hasn’t been closed

 • The Assessors office may re-appraise an entire class of property (all duplexes, for example)

 • The City does not reappraise based on a home sale!!! That is not legal.

 • The City will generally request an inspection of your property before correcting errors or changing your
 appraisal

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What do I do if I disagree with the re-
appraisal?
• You can appeal it!
 • File a grievance – Due by 5/14 at 4PM
 • You can call the assessor’s office and have a conversation with the
 Assessor and sometimes you can settle the appeal without going to the
 Board (802-865-7114)
 • Appear at the Board of Assessors – this is a board of 3 people
 (Assessor and 2 residents) that reviews your grievance and decides if
 there is merit
 • Note that the BoA meets annually in the last or second-to-last week of May (in
 Charter). Appeals are about 15 minutes long
 • The BoA is focused on the fairness of your property valuation and not on your
 ability to pay.
 • If you don’t agree with the BoA, you can appeal to the Board of Tax
 Appeals, a quasi-judicial group
 • If you still don’t agree, you can appeal to the State – that decision is
 final Page 9 of 21
Outcomes of a BoA Appeal
• Accepted – BoA agrees with your reasoning and proposed
  valuation

• Modified –
  • BoA agrees with your reasoning but thinks your property valuation is
 different from your proposal, or

  • BoA does not agree with your reasoning but thinks there needs to be an
 adjustment in your valuation (this is usually to your advantage, but not
 always…..)

• Denied Page 10 of 21
Appealing to the Board of Assessors
• Your appeal to the BoA needs to explain the reasons the appraisal is unjust
• Better reasons :
 • Errors
 • You say I have 3 bathrooms but I only have 1
 • You say I have a finished attic but I’m still a year away
 • You say my living room is 10x30 but it is only 10x15
 • You have overestimated the quality or the condition of my house
 • You have a recent commercial appraisal that doesn’t match the city valuation
 • You are valuing some intangible (view, yard….) too high

• Not as good reasons
 • My Appraisal is simply too high!
 • My neighbor’s house is valued lower



• Note that you can appeal any appraisal at any time – if you decide a re-appraisal you received 3
  years ago is wrong, you can still appeal!!!!!

 Page 11 of 21
Quality and Condition
• These are the most subjective components of an assessment.
  Nonetheless, they are assigned on the basis of standard rubrics and
  descriptions that the Assessor’s office works to apply equitably.
• They are on a scale range from Poor to Excellent. They can make a
  significant difference in your home’s valuation.

• Condition is what shape your home, in general, is – newer, fresh, or
  tired, run down?

• Quality is more like ’the bones’ (structural robustness) and the
  quality of the stuff inside the house – is the kitchen counter formica
  or granite?
 Page 12 of 21
Owners and Assessors’ Opinions - 2022
Owners' Opinion Granted Modified Denied Total Assessors' Opinion Granted Modified Denied Total
Condition 13 3 16 Card Correction 1 15 1 17
Comps 1 7 4 12 Appraisal accurate; no
Card errors 1 9 1 11 change 16 16
Overvalued 3 6 9 Condition 2 10 12
Income data 7 7 Adjust based on income
Appraisal 2 4 6 approach 1 8 9
Sales Comps 2 2 1 5 Card Correction, Condition 1 3 4
Land 3 1 4 Land 4 4
Incomplete Sales Comps 3 1 4
Improvements 1 1 2 Quality 3 3
Comps, Condition 1 1 2 Incomplete Improvements 1 2 3
Unexplained Increase 1 1 2 Condition, Errors 1 1 2
Not commercial Closed Permits 1 1 2
property? 1 1 Land; Condition 2 2
Appraisal, Comps 1 1 New Information 1 1
Formula 1 1 Condition, finished area 1 1
Land; Condition 1 1 Valuation as residential 1 1
Purchase Price 1 1 Quality; Condition 1 1
No Contest 1 1 Adjusted Depreciation 1 1
Condition, Income Condition, Land 1 1
data 1 1 Card Correction; Land 1 1
Use not accounted for 1 1
Appraisal, Income data 1 1
 Page 13 of 21
At and After the Meeting (~15 minutes)
• You get to state your case
• Bring supporting materials if you wish
• The Board members may ask questions relevant to your appeal
• Decisions are made after the appeal session
• In fact, the Assessor may ask if it’s OK to schedule a visit to look at
  your property (if you say yes, then do not let the Assessor in, you will
  probably lose the appeal ). Visits are fantastic ways to clarify
  property value
• The Assessors’ office does a review and shares opinion with the rest
  of the Board. Together the Board makes the decision, and the
  appellant is notified mid-June.

 Page 14 of 21
The Appeals Process
• https://www.burlingtonvt.gov/462/Property-Appeal-
  Procedures-Board-of-Asse




• https://burlingtonvt.portal.opengov.com/
  • Appeals Deadline is 5/14 at 4PM!!!!
  • Also –you need an OpenGov Permitting and Licensing
 account. You can call the office if you need help 802-865-
 7114


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The Property Record Card
• https://property.burlingtonvt.gov/




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 Thank you! What
Questions Do you Have?



 Page 21 of 21

Ward 3 Neighborhood Planning Assembly
 Wednesday, April 15, 2026
 Sharon Bushor Room, Burlington City Hall
 Meeting Minutes
1. Welcome & Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at approximately 6:33 PM by Zachary Cummings, Ward 3 NPA
Steering Committee member. A motion to adopt the agenda was made, seconded, and
approved by a voice vote.
2. Attendee Introductions
  • NPA Steering Committee Members:
 ✓ Brooks Cummings, Cherry Street
 ✓ Zachary Cummings, South Champlain Street
 ✓ Darrell Fields, Church Street
  • City Officials/Staff:
 ✓ Mark Barlow, City Councilor, North District
 ✓ Melo Grant, City Councilor, Central District
 ✓ Barbara Turnbull, Dept of Finance and Administration
 ✓ Charlie Giannoni, Town Meeting TV
  • Presenters:
 ✓ Rick Bove, Local Developer
 ✓ Katherine Schad, Dept of Finance and Administration (via remote attendance)
 ✓ Jonathan Chapple-Sokol, Board of Assessors
 ✓ Rob Gutman, Board of Assessors
  • Community Members/Public:
 ✓ Donna Bister, Peru Street
 ✓ Dawn Ellis, Woodridge Drive (Ward 4)
 ✓ Susan Forester, College Street
 ✓ Jill Lesh, College Street
 ✓ Amy Taylor, College Street
3. Ward 3 Priorities Discussion
Jonathan Chapple-Sokol explained the origin of the "Priorities" resolution, noting it aims to
formalize the relationship between NPAs and the City Council. The goal is for each ward to
identify three to five priorities that the Council should discuss with the NPA before taking major
votes.
Overdose Prevention Center (OPC): Members inquired about the status of the harm reduction
initiative. Councilor Melo Grant clarified that while the resolution passed by Ward 3 was
presented to the Council, no specific locations have been vetted successfully yet. She
encouraged the NPA to provide more advanced notice for future major votes to increase
community participation.
Homelessness and Housing:
 • Jill Lesh and Amy Taylor expressed concern regarding where the unhoused population is
 sleeping, noting reports of hypothermia deaths during the winter.
 • Councilor Grant noted that the 80-day cold weather shelter motel program ended in
 early April, which may lead to increased presence in City Hall Park. She highlighted the
 "Build Resolution" report on housing barriers and suggested future presentations by
 Charles Dillard on neighborhood code changes.
 • Dawn Ellis discussed the need for "simple interventions" to help those facing housing
 disruptions connect with kin or social networks before they fall into chronic
 homelessness.
NPA Participation: Donna Bister and others expressed concern that current meeting
attendance is not representative of the whole ward. Suggestions included better signage at
City Hall and more proactive outreach beyond Front Porch Forum.
4. Bove’s Restaurant Redevelopment Project
Rick Bove presented a proposal for the former Bove’s Restaurant site on Pearl Street.
 • The Proposal: A 100% affordable housing project featuring approximately 25 efficiency
 units (425–500 sq. ft.). The building is proposed to be between four and six stories.
 • Affordability: Rents are targeted at $1,395, including all utilities (heat, electric, Wi-Fi).
 • Historic Preservation: Because the site is a historic structure, demolition is only
 permitted if a replacement plan is approved. The UVM Historic Society indicated
 support for demolition if replaced with community-use housing.
 • Design: The rendering includes "Art Deco" cues, such as six-sided windows, as an
 homage to the original restaurant.
 • Parking: No on-site parking is required or provided in this zone; the project emphasizes
 walkability and proximity to the bus station.
5. Understanding Your Property Tax Bill
CAO Katherine Schad provided an overview of the municipal tax bill structure.
 • Split: The bill is roughly a 2/3 (State Education) to 1/3 (Municipal) split.
 • "Splinter" Taxes: The municipal portion is composed of various dedicated taxes (e.g.,
 Penny for Parks, Street Capital, Library, Housing Trust, Police/Fire).
 • Retirement & Debt: Retirement is the largest line item on the municipal side. Unlike
 other rates, the CAO is authorized by the Charter to set the retirement and debt service
 rates based on the city's actual obligations without a separate annual public vote.
 • Reform: CAO Schad noted the Mayor’s interest in simplifying these "splinter" taxes to
 make the bill more predictable.
6. How to Appeal Your Property Tax Assessment
Jonathan Chapple-Sokol and Rob Gutman (Board of Assessors) outlined the grievance process.
 • Deadlines: Grievances must be filed by May 14th at 4:00 PM via the OpenGov portal.
 • Basis for Appeal: Successful appeals usually focus on factual errors (e.g., incorrect
 bathroom count) or subjective "Quality and Condition" ratings.
 • The Process: Appeals before the three-member Board of Assessors are informal
 (approx. 15 minutes). If denied, taxpayers can move to the Board of Tax Appeals and
 finally the State.
 • Property Record Cards: Residents were encouraged to look up their "Property Record
 Card" online to see the specific data the city has on their home.
7. Public Forum
Melo Grant (City Councilor) provided several updates:
 ● Mayor’s Meetups: The next Central District meetup is May 12th at 5:30 PM.
 ● Budget: Departmental budget presentations begin next week; residents can follow
 along via Town Meeting TV or the city website.
 ● Accountability Court: State’s Attorney Sarah George recently reported that the court
 has cleared hundreds of cases, reducing backlogs.
 ● New Councilor: Laura Sanchez Parkinson has been sworn in as the new Ward 3 City
 Councilor.
8. Adjournment
A motion to adjourn was made and seconded. The motion passed by a unanimous voice vote.
The meeting was adjourned at approximately 8:30 PM.