Members of the Board of Civil Authority (BCA) include the Town Clerk, the Select Board, and the Justices of the Peace.
The BCA provides help with the running of elections and acts as a quasi-judicial board for property assessment grievances between taxpayers and listers.
The BCA meets when required or necessary. Agendas and minutes can be found online and/or at the Fayston Town Office.
Elections
The BCA is responsible for maintaining an up-to-date Voter Checklist and will make changes to the Checklist as needed. The Board also assists at elections, delivers absentee ballots, and counts ballots when necessary.
Property Assessment
Property taxes are imposed to support municipal services and public education. Taxes are based on the assessed value of taxable property. Every year the listers prepare the Fayston “Grand List” which is a list of all of the real property and taxable personal property in the Town and the appraised value of that property. A taxpayer who is unhappy with the listers’ appraisal may contest that appraisal and request a lister grievance hearing. 32 V.S.A. § 4221.
After the hearing, the listers notify the taxpayer of their decision and the taxpayer, if not satisfied, may then appeal, in writing, to the BCA within 14 days. 32 V.S.A. § 4404(a). The BCA must hold a hearing and conduct a site inspection of the parcel of property that is the subject of an appeal. 32 V.S.A. § 4404(c). The BCA may sustain, increase, or decrease the value of the property set by the listers. 32 V.S.A. § 4409. A decision issued by the BCA may be appealed to the Director of Property Valuation and Review or to Washington County Superior Court. 32 V.S.A. § 4461.