Heller Resigns from Reval Group

Garson Heller, a member of the Board of Assessment Appeals, announced his resignation today from Westport’s Revaluation Working Group which is reviewing the postponed 2003 property assessment.

In a letter to First Selectwoman Diane G. Farrell dated Wednesday and distributed at today’s second meeting of the now nine-member panel, Heller said, “In order to avoid the appearance of conflict, I am resigning from the Revaluation Working Group effective immediately.”

Heller, who was at the meeting, said he had been asked by Finance Director Don Miklus, chair of the working group, to act “in an advisory manner which I am happy to do.”

The longtime member of the Board of Assessment Appeals said he planned to attend committee meetings but would not participate when the group evaluates the assessment model used to determine values.

At today’s two-hour session, the group was told that state legislation would be necessary to use the 2003 data gathered by J. F. Ryan Associates.

Selectman Carl Leaman, a member of the panel, said state representatives were being asked to pursue such legislation.

Cole Layer Trumbull, the firm hired to clear up the backlog of about 1,700 building permits still to be added to the Grand List, will be asked to help evaluate the data already collected, according to Miklus.

While the cost of the firm’s additional work is not known, it may be covered by a $150,000 appropriation already approved by the town’s funding bodies, which would have to approve the use of the funds for this purpose, he said.

During the meeting, the group named two subcommittees one to look into the revaluation model used in the assessments and the other to monitor and report on clearing up the building permit backlog.

Milford Assessor William Gaffney was present and explained to members how his town handles its property assessments in house. He suggested Westport might want to consider doing the same.

The group will meet again next Thursday.