Well, here we are at the last level of response to our 100% Assessments of 2008 and thus your taxes this year; The Article 78 Lawsuit against the Town of Clayton, the Assessor, the LaFargevlile and T.I. Central School Boards to be filed this year. It seems apparent that nothing but a Judge’s decision will get our local government to follow the rule of law as determined by New York State, ORPS.
David, Jim and I have met with Robert Bebee, who for 18 years was the Counsel General for the Office of Real Property Services of NYS, ORPS. Mr.. Bebee is the most experienced lawyer in this field of law. With the Article 78 Law suits, Mr. Bebee is representing five groups in New York State with similar, if not the same grievances as ours!
The outcome of which could have tremendous impact on the assessment process. I should say up front that there is no guarantee of results!
This is a costly process. Cost is estimated to be $70,000 . We are trying to sign up enough people so that the cost will be shared by many and lessen the burden.
We have approximately 35 + commited property owners. Some of you are included in this number. This would mean a commitment of $1,000. each to start and if we, as a group, decide to go the whole way, it could mean another payment in July. If more than this join us the cost of the second payment goes down.
The outcome of Article-78 in other Townships have resulted in the removal of the Assessor, the Court ordered hiring of a real Assessment Firm by the Town and a complete un-biased reassessment of the Township!
We wish to go the whole route and really make some changes that may effect all taxpayers. To us this would be the best outcome.
Robert Bebee, whose practice is in the Albany region is representing us and has met with us on 10/8/08 http://www.beebelaw.com/Bio/RobertBeebe.asp
If you are interested, now that you have gotten your 2nd Tax Bill and seen your % of increase in Tax, Please contact us and we will make arrangements for your particapation!
I will not be posting any more details of these issues or particulars on www.claytontaxpayers.com , every thing between us will be handled in E-Mails or by phone. Thanks , Will Salisbury, David Knapp & Jim Ludwig
315-408-1836, 315-523-0312, 315-686-5126
The next letter was sent out late February 2009
Hi, I hope I may be able to speak with all of you , so if you wish more INFO. please send me your Phone number or call at your convience.
We are on a roll and with your help things can only improve! Below is a letter we sent out recently……. You should recieve paper work from Robert Beebe soon, the E-address will be from Cyntha Suarez an assistant so look for that E-Mail. Thanks, Will 4/15/09
To All Island Taxpayers,
Last year we started forming a group that is pursuing litigation against the Town of Clayton, the Assessor and both school districts that cover the Town of Clayton. We have hired Robert Beebe, from the Albany area, as our Lawyer. Mr. Beebe is currently representing other groups with the same intentions and concerns as ours. His web site is under the links tab on our website.
Mr. Beebe is the top lawyer in this field in New York State, and came highly recommended by these other groups. Mr. Beebe was the Consul General for NYS Office of Real Property Services for 18 years (ORPS). He knows when a township has crossed the line and can prove this with the letter of law and facts, presenting to the judge the illegal grounds upon which the assessor carried out our assessment. No ones taxes should increase 40-80-100% in one year, thus allowing for inland taxes to go down an average of 15- 20%.
Please check you tax records for years 2007, 2008, and now for the start 2009. Calculate your percentage of actual tax dollar increase. Islanders are being taken for a ride and we mean to put an end to this policy.
Our goal is 75 participants but 50 would be great. The more people involved the less cost for everyone.
The intention of the lawsuit is to: This section we removed as this info. should be kept amoung us until the Lawsuit is filed.
All these requests are standard results sought in this and other cases. These requests are also all or in part a result of the legal decision as to the illegal manner in which the 100% re-evaluation was done in 2008.
Our web site is : www.claytontaxpayers.com. We have not put any recent actions on the site or any list of properties or participants involved. If you wish more information on who is involved, are interested in, or have questions, please call or E-Mail me. We consider this action like “money under the mattress”, and are confident of a positive outcome.
Please pass this along to anyone who might be interested and wishes to save on future Tax Bills, ( Get back over paid tax dollars.)
Respectfully yours,
Will Salisbury
315-408-1836
