ROTTERDAM Town supervisor challenging assessments for second year BY JUSTIN MASON Gazette Reporter
There’s at least one upcoming legal case against Rotterdam that Supervisor Frank Del Gallo will need to abstain from: His own. For the second year in a row, Del Gallo has filed an Article 78 lawsuit challenging the assessed value of his business and home on Mariaville Road. The challenge filed in Schenectady County Court in late July alleges that town Assessor Craig Surprise wrongly boosted the assessment on both properties despite there being no improvements that would justify such an increase. “There’s no way these buildings contributed to the amount the assessor claims,” said Daniel Vincelette, the Albany-based attorney representing Del Gallo and his wife Marylin in the case. Del Gallo’s residence was assessed at $675,000 and business was valued at $285,000 following the town revaluation in 2007. But the following year, the assessment of his residence was increased to $1.37 million and the value of his business to $782,400. Del Gallo initially grieved the boost to his assessment in 2009 and then filed the initial lawsuit shortly after. Vincelette said the lawsuit filed this year outlines an almost identical claim to the previous one, which is ongoing. “This all commenced before Frank was elected,” he said. “The value is still on the roll and Frank is still paying taxes on those values” Del Gallo did not return a call for comment. Attempts to contact Robert Beebe, the private attorney contracted to fight the case on behalf of Rotterdam, were unsuccessful. A clerk at the assessor’s offi ce said Surprise is on vacation this week. Town officials discussed the case during an executive session on Monday. Del Gallo recused himself from the discussion, allowing Deputy Supervisor Robert Godlewski to act in his place. Del Gallo’s two-story residence includes 5,131 square feet of living space and is situated on 10 acres, according to county records. Improvements include a number of covered porches, an in-ground pool, a pair of garages and one apartment space. His business, Del Gallo Country Pools, includes 3,351 square feet of commercial space, according to county records. The property also has an adjoining 401-squarefoot cabin that Del Gallo uses as an office. ........................>>>>.............................>>>>.....................http://www.dailygazette.net/De.....r01502&AppName=1
200k and 250k - i guess he doesn't have town or school services and does not need to pay like the rest of us
5131 sq ft = for those of with a common home that is 28ft front to back or side to side, the house would be 180+ feet long
Probably the same planet as Steve Tommasone's brother and the hundred or so GOP connected residents who got bullspit reductions. How did the former town administration "know" there were so many "mistakes and omissions" when they changed assessors yet they "didn't know" Surprise changed codes on the condo's and granted SI a huge PILOT at taxpayers expense the first week on the job? Hmmmmm
How many other reductions were granted under the false pretense of flawed data? I betcha a helluva lot more than we know by the looks of FDG's absurd increase. No wonder the GOP got swept from office. They have the smell of back room dealings still stenching the town by the looks of things. (SI PILOT) IMHO
Probably the same planet as Steve Tommasone's brother and the hundred or so GOP connected residents who got bullspit reductions. How did the former town administration "know" there were so many "mistakes and omissions" when they changed assessors yet they "didn't know" Surprise changed codes on the condo's and granted SI a huge PILOT at taxpayers expense the first week on the job? Hmmmmm
Straw man arguments aside, do you believe that FDG's properties are worth $200K and $250K? Or, is the argument you're making that since the previous administration allegedly manipulated property tax assessments for personal gain; it is only fair this administration manipulate property tax assessments for THEIR personal gain? Nicki D. - FDG, who's the next town board member gonna be?
Why else do people run for public office in Rotterdam besides personal gain? What a SH!THOLE
A lawyer will low ball. A judge will split the difference in half and render his decision and Steve Tommasone will just have the handpicked ASSkisser drop your assessment for votes. Too bad Steve T underestimated the very bright "SH!THOLE" you refer to in your post.
Every cross your mind Cissy that Steve and company would probably still be in office if they left well enough alone with assessment issues? I don't think FDG would be the 800 pound gorilla in the room. Stupid is what stupid does and Steve and Gerard lead the pack of the stupid brigade. And who is the "uniquly unqualified for office individual" from last years election? Sounds like Steve fits that to a tee. Hee IMHO!
On the surface, I would say that jumping an assessment from $675,000 to $1,370,000 in 2 years -- 2 years in which real estate values were falling like barrels going over Niagara Falls -- is a bit questionable. I think Mr. Del Gallo has a right like any citizen to challenge what he believes to be a unfair assessment. We really need to find a way to send the current assessor packing and get someone in there who is reasonable and non-partisan.
George Amedore & Christian Klueg for NYS Senate 2016 Pete Vroman for State Assembly 2016[/size][/color]
"For this is what America is all about. It is the uncrossed desert and the unclimbed ridge. It is the star that is not reached and the harvest that is sleeping in the unplowed ground." Lyndon Baines Johnson
Everyone who owns property in this town has seen their property values fall like those barrels over the falls yet all of our tax assessments have gone up every year as well. The practice of raising everyone's taxes every year to fill the holes in the school budget and the town and county budgets have to end as the residents are running out of money to pay their own bills. People and businesses are fleeing this state in droves and the high taxes are the main reason for it. Federal, State, and local governments have got to balance their budgets, cut spending, and eliminate programs that are no longer needed or we'll all be moving.
You are arguing apples and oranges .. Mr Del Gallo is challenging the assessed value of his property ... you are arguing that the taxes paid are going up for everyone .. and I agree with you. We need to stop the ludicrous spending habits of those in Washington and Albany and .. yes .. in town hall.
BTW .. I am a Democrat .. but I do not condone, support, or make excueses for the spending binge that the current President and Congress have gone on. They are like a bunch of drunken frat boys on Spring break spending our inheritance.
George Amedore & Christian Klueg for NYS Senate 2016 Pete Vroman for State Assembly 2016[/size][/color]
"For this is what America is all about. It is the uncrossed desert and the unclimbed ridge. It is the star that is not reached and the harvest that is sleeping in the unplowed ground." Lyndon Baines Johnson
Every cross your mind Cissy that Steve and company would probably still be in office if they left well enough alone with assessment issues?
FDG and company (most) would not be in office if it wasn't for the NNTP line!! The liberal socialist would lead you to believe differently.
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
FDG and company (most) would not be in office if it wasn't for the NNTP line!! The liberal socialist would lead you to believe differently.
FDG would have never been a candidate for public office if it weren't for the change in the Asskisser's Office. Trust me BT without FDG leading the ticket the Dems are a one man minority similar to GP's new gig. NNTP was a figment of J Mertz imagination. Reminder---- he lost the Primary by a bundle. OConnor had NNTP backing and lost and you want us to believe WHAT???
Liberal socialist or astute politician. You decide........
Assessments on existing properties cannot stay stagnant and should be adjusted once every 6 years such a policy of applying assessment only on construction prevents growth
Rotterdam's past policy of rewarding long term squatters, punishing big business because they can afford it, and failure to adopt state practices is what created our current situation
Maybe property and income taxes should to be eliminated and a flat rate VAT adopted so that all may contribute to the services required
Talking to each other is better than talking about each other
FDG would have never been a candidate for public office if it weren't for the change in the Asskisser's Office. Trust me BT without FDG leading the ticket the Dems are a one man minority similar to GP's new gig. NNTP was a figment of J Mertz imagination. Reminder---- he lost the Primary by a bundle. OConnor had NNTP backing and lost and you want us to believe WHAT???
Surely, his assessment can't be the only property "wrongly" assessed in the Town. As Supervisor and leader of the Town, what does FDG plan to do about ALL the "wrongly" assessed properties in the Town? Can he do anything? Supposedly his assessment is the reason he ran for Supervisor. What has he done to address it? Make zoning changes for his business buddies.
He's typical Rotterdam. He wants to live like a king while everybody else pays for it. Just like that certain someone that received sewer service for 20 years at his banquet hall without paying a dime and received town mulch delivered for free.
FDG would have never been a candidate for public office if it weren't for the change in the Asskisser's Office. Trust me BT without FDG leading the ticket the Dems are a one man minority similar to GP's new gig. NNTP was a figment of J Mertz imagination. Reminder---- he lost the Primary by a bundle. OConnor had NNTP backing and lost and you want us to believe WHAT???
Liberal socialist or astute politician. You decide........
The reason why some lost and some won was done in part because of 'split votes'. Mertzie was not the mastermind behind the NNTP, although some obviously would have people believe differently. And you want us to believe WHAT? ...liberal socilist.......there is nothing astute about ANY dem or rep IMHO
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
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