New citizens' group decries town assessment practices For the past several months, Saugerties residents have been expressing concern with what an upcoming town-wide property reassessment will do to their wallets - but some people, like the members of the newly-minted group SAGA: Saugertiesians Against Government Abuse, are already experiencing sleepless nights about assessments that have occurred this year. "We believe the town of Saugerties has engaged in systematic property tax assessment irregularities. It is time to end this practice and to hold those responsible accountable for their actions," reads a press release issued this week by SAGA members.

The release asks residents to contact SAGA "if you have been the victim of improper tax assessment of your home for the period of 2001-2004" in any way, including: spot assessing, which happens if you "purchased a home and the assessed value was raised even though no improvements were done to the property and the rest of your neighborhood were not reassessed. This practice (though deemed illegal in New York state) has been used over and over again by the tax assessor's office"; you made application for a building permit or subdivision that resulted in the property being reassessed at full market value despite construction not being completed; work has been completed and the assessor's office has reassessed the property at full market value without applying the Residential Assessment Ration as published by New York state; "you were reassessed last year, but your market value was reassessed 43 percent higher this year;" "you suspect that you did not receive a fair hearing at the grievance board in 2004, because there were fewer than three members present at the deliberations;" a grievance was denied without any specific reasons provided on the denial notice; or if a resident believes that their vacant land has been assessed at its "potential and best possible" use instead of its current use.

The release concludes that SAGA is "contemplating a Class Action suit against the town of Saugerties and select town officials for alleged improper and illegal action and/or negligence in their fiduciary."

WELCOME TO SAUGERTIES, STRANGER

So who are these angered citizens? Are SAGA members hiding in the Malden hills, waiting to strike at any assessor who dares cross their path? Not quite.

Headed by Leonard Steinberg and Herve Senequier, owners of Luxury Lofts, a New York City-based real estate brokerage firm, SAGA was officially established only one week ago, although both Steinberg and Senequier noted that the issue existed well before the first meeting. Initially, Steinberg and Senequier thought they were alone on the issue. When the partners first came to the area two years ago to develop what is now known as Malden Country Estates on Route 9W, they feared they might be subject to what Steinberg describes as the "welcome stranger policy" in which the homes of newcomers are assessed at higher values than those the locals. While several of their properties were assessed at a value that both feel is unfair - they have a case against the town right now regarding a home, initially assessed at $1.2 million, that was raised to $1.6 million - Steinberg and Senequier quickly found their case wasn't individualized, or even the result of their out-of-towner status.

Although Steinberg declined to reveal the exact number of members, he did say that it was a "small group of people whose properties have been earmarked to be selectively assessed at full market value or above.

"It started with a number of emails being bandied around a few weeks ago," Steinberg said. "People were very upset about tax assessment in the town."

According to Steinberg "80 to 90 percent of the town is assessed well below market value," leaving the remaining burden to fall on this select group. "Next year when the entire town is reassessed it could be a real issue," Steinberg said.

Not only were Steinberg and Senequier disappointed with what they call "spot assessment," they were outraged by the response of the grievance committee.

"One is half asleep, one doesn't know how to read - they just stare at you," Steinberg said. "I've had many sleepless nights; it's emotionally draining and has been very, very, very upsetting."

"There are strict guidelines imposed by the state as to how the town needs to proceed with assessment," Senequier said, adding that he believes the town was not following these procedures. "The town has not been reassessed since 2001, although they claim it has been done every year."

Steinberg and Senequier said they have gone to the town "several times" to discuss the issue. "We went to the assessor and he claimed to know nothing." Steinberg said.

Town assessor Stephen Ryan did not comment specifically on the Steinberg/Senequier case and said he was unfamiliar with the SAGA organization.

"Up until this phone call I had not heard of the group," said Ryan. "If someone was dissatisfied, they may or may not have followed the procedure of their assessment. Other than that I really don't know what to say.

"Last year we had none, this we've had four, other than that we're totally unaware of a group of dissatisfied people," Ryan added.

When Steinberg further questioned the matter, he said, he was told: "Come on, this is business," and the issue was brushed off. "It's a form of extortion," he said, "because what are our options? If we don't pay the taxes they foreclose - it's thousands of dollars."

"The big concern is that it deters us 100 percent to develop any new houses until the issue is resolved," Senequier said. "These things do not help the town to grow. Saugerties cannot boom if they are going to have a bizarre policy of only taxing some people."

Senequier said the discrimination seems not to be linked to any common trait. "It's not a political party, it's not a problem between newcomers and locals - the way the town is doing this is creating a very bad environment."

The current goal of SAGA is to increase membership and gather information on other cases. "We're trying to pool together all those stories of abuse and make the government clearly aware and give the town the opportunity to correct the injustice," Steinberg said. "If they will not, we will have to do whatever is necessary to make them see that they cannot get away with what I think is an illegal practice. The methodology by which this town assesses is scandalous."

"This is a flagrant abuse of my rights. We love this town," Steinberg said. "We think it's the most beautiful town on an upswing. We hire local, we shop local, we eat local. We intend to take this as far as necessary - Saugerties deserves better."

For information on SAGA, Steinberg and Senequier urge residents to email their stories to SAGA12477@yahoo.com or write to SAGA, PO Box 235, Malden-on-Hudson, NY 12453-0235 with details of your case or to visit their website at www.geocities.com/saga12477/.

LOCAL NEWSPAPER
CONTACT INFORMATION

Saugerties Post Star
858 Route 212 - Saugerties, 12477
Deadline Monday PM
Phone 246-4985
FAX your letter to 246-5108
email your letter (SUBJECT : Letters to the editor) poststar@ulster.net
.

Saugerties Times
c/o Ulster Publishing, 322 Wall Street, Kingston, NY 12402
deadline Tues 11 AM
Phone 334-8200
FAX your letter to 334-8202
email your letter (SUBJECT : Letters to the editor) saugertiestimes@ulsterpublishing.com

Daily Freeman
79 Hurley Avenue Kingston, NY 12401
Phone 331-5000 email your letter (SUBJECT : Letters to the editor) publisher@freemanonline.com
FAX your letter 338-0672

Poughkeepsie Journal
PO Box 1231
Poughkeepsie, NY 12602
(845) 454-2000
For an on line letter to the editor. Fill out this form