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1. When Can I Appeal My Property Value?

Any property value may be appealed annually whether the town has changed the base or not. The appeal must be timely or within the normal, annual work cycle for changing values. We consider a request timely if received before the close of annual grievance appeal hearings.

2. How do I Grieve My Property Value?

Write and mail or hand-deliver a letter or email to the Assessor's Office a written request to have the property value reviewed.

3. What Information do I Need to Support a Grievance?

The more information submitted, the easier it will be to establish the facts and then discuss the less objective information. We typically request permission to look at the interior and exterior of the improvements to establish accurate sizes (ie gross living or building areas.) The building(s) are also evaluated for quality and condition at the same time. The land characteristics are also taken into consideration during the site visit. Supplemental information is welcome such as independent appraisal or certified market analysis when completed by a competent individual.

4. Who Can Represent Me at a Grievance?

The owner or their agent (attorney or non-attorney with the owner's consent) may represent the owner at a hearing. The process is designed to be exercised by a lay-person.

5. What Can I do if Not Satisfied with the Outcome with the Assessor?

The property owner has the right to bring an unacceptable property value to the Board of Civil Authority, as the next step, once a proper grievance / appeal has been decided upon and written decision issued. The property owner is advised of the outcome and option to appeal including timeframe to go to the next step.

6. What is the Relationship Between the Grand List and the Local Real Estate Market?

Annually property values in Shelburne are compared against 3 years of valid sales to generate a Common Level of Assessment (CLA) and Coefficient of Dispersion (COD). As of April 1, 2020 the CLA in town was 91.47% with 100% indicating the sales and assessments, on average are the same. The COD was 12.48% with zero (0%) indicating all sales and assessments matched. A 20% COD indicates an unacceptably large dispersion between the assessments and valid sale prices.

7. Why did My Tax Bill Increase When my Value did not Change?

The answer is one or both of two things:
A. Tax Rates. The firs cause for a tax-bill increase pertains to the tax rates; both school and town. The town tax rate is the same for all properties in Shelburne and is very much determined by a combination of what is approved for spending at Town Meeting and how much change there was or the final size of the Grand List. The school rate is roughly 80% of a typical property tax bill in town and mandated by Legislature.
B. Household Income. Vermont property tax payments under Act 60/68 are very sensitive to the household income. Aside from a year lag, any substantial increase or decrease in taxable income of a Vermont resident coudl have a direct impact on the property tax bill the subsequent year.

8. When does the Town do a Re-Valuation?

The town completed revaluations in 2003 and 2008. The real estate market is dynamic and also property owners make changes where permits may be necessary. These two things support a periodic town-wide revaluation. 

9. How Often do I Have to Declare my Homestead as Being in Shelburne, Vermont?

The legislature changed starting last year once again making annual reporting the standard. The form may be found with the State of Vermont income tax booklets in most town offices or on line at the State of Vermont Department of Taxes Webpage.

10. Why do Exempt Properties, Including Churches Have to Report a Value in Shelburne?

Last year the legislature required the towns to ask all exempt properties to report their market value or insurance replacement costs. From our perspective, this does not have any impact on the exempt status of these properties.

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1. What are the Beach Hours?

Park is open from sunrise to sunset. In season, we have Lifeguards on duty on the waterfront from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., seven days a week, weather permitting. Pass holders may swim at their own risk when there is no lifeguard on duty.  The summer 2021 seasonal staff begins on June 14 and will work through most of August. 

2. What are the Current Prices of Beach Passes?

A pass is required to enter the facility any time of the day.  Passes can be purchased at the beach from the gatekeeper on duty or at the Recreation office from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.  Season passes are for sale to Shelburne Residents only and must show proof of residency. Check or cash only please. 

Group Passes:  $25.00 for 1st car, $5.00 per additional car in a household. Seniors, 60+, are $5.00 per car for a season pass.  

Guest Passes: $6.00 per car (Must be Shelburne resident or guest of resident and  residents must be present to allow guests to use the facility). 

3. When do Beach Passes go on Sale?

Beginning June 1st at the Recreation office, and at the Beach entrance starting June 14th.

 

4. Is the Beach Handicap Accessible?

Beach Lift: The lift at the north set of stairs provides access to the water level for patrons with accessibility needs. The lift is operated by a key and only available when staff is on duty, or if arrangements for groups are made in advance. A ramp from the bottom of the lift down to the sand will be installed when water level allows. Please inquire at the Recreation office for more information about using the lift.

5. Do Guests Have to Pay? How Much?

There is no fee for guests of beach pass holders if they are in the same car as their pass holder. Guests may enter in their own car for a fee of $6.00, as long as they are accompanied by a pass holder. Shelburne residents may purchase a one day pass for $6.00.

6. Can Non-Residents Purchase Beach Passes?

No. You must be a Shelburne resident to purchase a season or day pass.

7. How do I Plan a Group Gathering to be Held at the Beach?

Groups: Shelburne passholders may hold a group gathering for no additional group fee when in season (June 14 through late August), but they must schedule with the Parks and Recreation office for parties of 20 or more. Guests and non-passholders will be charged $6.00 per car when entering the beach for a Shelburne resident's scheduled group. 

There will be a $50 fee for Shelburne residents who want to schedule a gathering and have the bathrooms open in either pre-season or postseason.  

Shelburne Businesses will be charged $150 for a group gathering, of which $50 is a refundable security deposit. Shelburne school groups, Shelburne social service and community service groups are free, but must reserve and schedule dates with the Recreation office in advance.

Shelburne Daycares or camps, including non-profit organizations, will be charged $100.00 for a season pass.

All groups using the beach with children must maintain a one adult to every 5 children ratio and must schedule with us.   

8. Can School/Daycare Classes Use the Beach?

Yes. There is no charge for Shelburne public school groups or town social service/communtiy service groups to use the town beach for picnics/gatherings. Town daycares and camps (both for profit and nonprofit) may purchase a season pass for $100.00. All groups must schedule in advance with the Recreation Office. All groups entering with children must maintain a one adult to every 5 children ratio.

9. Can I Launch my Boat at the Beach?

The launch is located just beyond the swimming area and is available for small craft only. You must have a beach pass to use the boat launch. Non-pass holders and non-residents may use the State of Vermont boat launch on Bay Road. Boats and vehicles may not be left overnight. Picnicking, sunbathing, and swimming are not allowed within 100' of the boat launch.    

10. Can I Bring my Dog to the Beach?

No dogs or other pets are allowed at the beach or in the facility at any time in or out of season! Please do not bring them and leave them in the car either!

11. Can I Bring Alcohol and/or Glass Containers?

Use of alcoholic beverages is prohibited. Glass bottles/containers are prohibited.  

12. Do Groups Have to Clean up After Use?

Groups must collect, bag, and haul out trash following their event. Groups will be responsible for any damages to facility. All group use must be completed by 7:30 p.m. unless approved in advance by the Parks and Recreation Department. All Shelburne Town Beach Rules apply to the groups. The Parks and Recreation Department will refund the facility deposit upon completion of inspection of the town beach.

  

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1. Do I Need to Live in Shelburne to Buy a Plot?

Yes, must be a resident of Shelburne.

2. How do I Purchase a Cemetery Plot?

You may contact Stuart Morrow, the Chairman of the Commission at 802-985-8809 and he can help you.

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1. What Can I do if the Snowplow Hits my Mailbox?

Please contact our highway superintendent Paul Goodrich and he can assist you.

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1. How Can I Register?

To register for a program in office or by mail, please return the completed registration form along with cash or check payment. You can also use our drop box on the wall outside our office during evenings and weekends. Registration forms are available to print off our web page. Hard copies are available on the wall outside the Recreation office. We would also be happy to mail or fax one to you at your request. Or try our New Online Registration by going to that page.

If you need to meet with us in person and are unable to make it to our office during office hours (8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday), please call us and we would be happy to accommodate you and make other arrangements.

Please Note: Most of our programs use our general registration form, however, there are a few programs that have their own special registration form. These include baseball, fall soccer, youth lacrosse, and the Champlain Classic. These forms are available at the Recreation office or online.

2. When to Register?

You may register for our programs any time before their respective deadline dates.

3. What are the Fees?

The program fees are stated at the end of each course or program description. Non-residents must add $10.00 to the stated fee. There are scholarships available for Shelburne residents.

4. Will I be Sent a Confirmation?

We do not mail confirmation notices but receipts will be emailed if an email is provided at the time of registration. Consider yourself and /or your children enrolled in the course(s) of your choice when you send in a completed registration form and payment. Many classes and programs have limited enrollments and may fill. However, you will be notified if a program/class becomes full. If so, please ask to be placed on a waiting list.

5. What is the Cancellation Policy?

We will notify you if the class has been filled, canceled or changed. Shelburne Parks and Recreation reserves the right to cancel or consolidate any program that does not meet minimum participant registration numbers. Remember, nothing destroys a program quicker than waiting until the last minute to register. Avoid disappointment and please register early. Program cancellations due to inclement weather will be announced on our office answering machine at 802-985-9551 and on local radio stations.

6. How do I get a Refund?

If we cancel a class or activity, all fees will be refunded. If you withdraw 3 business days before the first class (excluding weekends and holidays), you will recieve a full refund. If you withdraw later then 3 business days or after the first class, you will receive a 50% refund. If you withdraw after the second class, no refund or credit will be issued. Refund processing takes up to three weeks. We do not provide cash refunds or credits.

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1. How Can I Make a Contribution to the Shelburne Rescue?

You may make a contribution by visiting Shelburne Rescue's website.

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1. Who do I Contact Regarding a Storm Water Issue / Problem?

Chris Robinson is our Storm Water and Water Quality Superintendent. He may be Reached at 802-985-3700.

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1. Can I Pay My Taxes Over the Phone or Internet? Or with a Credit Card?

Go to this link for online payment information.

https://vt-shelburne.civicplus.com/543/On-Line-Payments

2. How Many Times a Year are Taxes Due?

There are three installments in Shelburne. The tax year of 20-21 payments are September 15th, November 16th, and March 15th.
If these dates fall on a holiday they are due the next working day after the holiday.

3. What are the Penalties for Late Payment of My Taxes?

The penalty for late tax bills (even one day) for FY 20-21 is 3% penalty. The following months will be charged 1% interest per month.

4. When Will I Receive My Tax Bill?

Tax bills are mailed, to be delivered by July 15th, and first installment is due August 15th.

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1. How do I get a Marriage License?

The Town Clerk’s office issues Civil Marriage licenses. The cost for a license is $60. If you would like a certified copy of your marriage certificate the cost is $10 per certified copy. Faxing your marriage worksheet ahead of your visit will expedite your processing time when obtaining your license in our office. The fax number is: 802-985-9550.

For more info:https://vt-shelburne.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/120

View Marriage FAQs

2. How do I get a Burn Permit?

To obtain a legal burn permit contact the Shelburne Police non-emergency number at 802-985-8051.

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1. What are the Current Rates for Water/Wastewater/Stormwater Utilities?

The water usage fee is $7.35/thousand gallons.
The wastewater usage fee is $16.27/thousand gallon.  Stormwater fees are $5.20 per month per residential property.

2. How Do I Apply for Water Services?

Call our office at 802-985-5120 and we will gladly help you.