This is just to notify all residents of AuSable Acres that I sent the following letter to Donna Bramer, Tax Assessor for the Town of Jay, on our behalf on June 4, 2013. To date I have not received a response. I am looking into other possible options for us to pursue and I will keep you posted on my progress.

Ms. Donna Bramer, Town Assessor

Dear Ms. Bramer,

I am writing on behalf of all the property owners in AuSable Acres. All of us are staggering from the outrageous increase in our property assessments. I personally know of many individuals who have spoken to you and received no satisfaction. This is unacceptable. The Acres provides a large, if not the majority, of tax revenue to the Town of Jay, the AuSable Valley School District and Essex County. However, we are not bottomless pockets for you to pick.

It is unfair to assess all undeveloped acres of the same size at the same rate regardless of where they are located. Some are not ever going to be able to be sold or built upon.

Our tennis court and bathroom areas are recreational only. These parcels have been raised an outrageous amount. Why? They haven’t changed, won’t be sold or changed in any way. I know you are aware of this and I cannot understand why you turn a deaf ear to our complaint as well as the complaints of many of our residents.

There are over seventy parcels of vacant land for sale in AuSable Acres. None will sell if the taxes are too high and that is what is happening. Some people are planning to give up their land. Is that what you want to see happen?

I believe you are the assessor in several other towns as well as Jay. Perhaps you are spread too this and cannot do a fair job of reassessing all the parcels you are supposed to in your juridictions.

I would like our tennis court and bathroom assessments lowered to the rate at which they were previously assessed. I would also like you to seriously entertain the legitimate complaints of our residents and readjust their assessments as well.

Thank you for your attention to this matter. I hope to hear from you soon.

Very truly yours,

Rosemary Barry, President AAPOA