Cora,

Here in Bennington, our Director of Collections always compiles a list of
mobile homes with similar circumstances (can't find owner, unable to
collect) and presents the list to the Board of Abatement.  These are always
accepted by the Board for abatement.  As for you recusing yourself, I don't
know, we have a separate collections department from the Town Clerk.  Good
Luck.

Cassandra J. Barbeau
Assistant Town Clerk
Bennington, VT
(802) 442-1043
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  -----Original Message-----
  From: Vermont Municipal Government Discussion Network
[mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of Braintree Town Clerk
  Sent: Thursday, May 15, 2003 10:33 AM
  To: [log in to unmask]
  Subject: Board of Abatement questions


  Hi.

  I have some questions about Board of Abatement hearings.  Braintree has a
large mobile home park that was just bought by the state.  There are several
mobile homes that are abandoned and uninhabitable.  I received notice from
the state that they have sent letters to the current owners saying that they
are going to be moving the homes.  I know that they are planning on
destroying the homes.  All of these homes have delinquent taxes.  I am the
town clerk and delinquent tax collector.  I have been unable to locate the
owners.  The previous park owner moved a mobile home that the town had a
lien on.  He moved it off a lot and put it in his "overflow" parking.  The
trailer roof had collapsed that winter.  That trailer has since been
dismantled, but the taxes are still delinquent.  I called a Board of
Abatement hearing for next week, but am unsure what to do next.  I have been
clerk for 4 years and this is my first abatement hearing.  As Town Clerk I
should be taking the minutes for the meeting, but at Delinquent Tax
Collector, shouldn't I recuse myself from any proceedings?  Including taking
the minutes?  Do we have the authority to abate taxes on these homes?  If
not, then how do we ever collect?  Especially since the homes will be
destroyed, there is nothing that can placed for tax sale.  Any help would be
appreciated.


  Cora - Braintree