Two homeowners on Greenwoods Road East are seeking tax abatements or deferrals on their properties until it can be determined how the 2022 gas spill affected their values.
First Selectman Matt Riiska, who is conferring with the town’s attorney about the issue, reported to the Board of Finance meeting Tuesday night that one of the houses is occupied and the other homeowner lives in his house part time. Neither property is currently for sale.
The properties were affected when a truck turned over on Route 44, also known as Greenwoods Road, spilling 8,200 gallons of gasoline over the landscape. Extensive cleanup efforts have been made, but Riiska said there are still “low indicators” of gas in the area. Contamination in the area is monitored by the state.
Tax valuations are based on comparable market values in an area and Riiska reported that there has been only one sale on that street since the spill. That property was sold by a bank, “which is not a good indicator of value,” according to Board of Finance Chairman Michael Sconyers. Riiska added that there were issues with that property before the spill.
Since neither home has been put up for sale, Riiska said it would be difficult to determine whether values have decreased.
The parties have until February 20 to appeal to the Board of Assessment Appeals.
Riiska also told the Finance board that he has yet to receive approval from the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection or the Army Corps of Engineers to build a temporary bridge at Smith Road. The slimy sculpin, a freshwater species of fish that lives in rocky, cold-water streams, is present.
“Apparently, we can’t disturb it,” he said, adding that two varieties of protected bats are also in the area. Members of the board asked whether the bats need a bridge.