North Wildwood Appeals

County hears N. Wildwood homeowners' reval appeals
By TRUDI GILFILLIAN Staff Writer, (609) 463-6716
Press of Atlantic City
Published: Wednesday, May 24, 2006
Updated: Wednesday, May 24, 2006

CAPE MAY COURT HOUSE — It's the $3 billion question.

“Why don't you tell us why you feel your assessment is too high,” asked Philip F. Judyski, chairman of the Cape May County Board of Taxation.

He posed the question Tuesday to North Wildwood property owners, or their attorneys, appealing the results of a 2005 revaluation that increased the town's overall value from $866 million to just about $3 billion.

Some cases were resolved on the spot.

Attorney Henry Lewandowski represented one of his neighbors who couldn't attend the morning hearing.

The neighbor's condominium was valued at $300,000. The Board of Taxation agreed to drop the figure to $275,000, the same as most of the property's other units.

Lewandowski, president of the Rancho Villas Condominium Association, said he had reached the same settlement on his unit after it was originally valued at $340,000.

“$275,000 is the number I anticipated. It's the number I think is fair,” Lewandowski said.

“The initial shock was bad for many (residents), but most are satisfied with their figures now,” he said.

Other cases did not reach a neat conclusion.

Jeff and Robert Stewart came to the board on behalf of their parents, Robert and Elizabeth Stewart, ages 88 and 85, respectively.

“They've owned the house since 1949 and always paid their taxes, but they can't afford $17,000 in taxes,” Jeff Stewart said. Their old tax bill was about $4,200.

He said his parents' home on Second Avenue was valued at about $200,000 before the revaluation. Now, the property is assessed at $2.5 million.

The brothers suggested a fairer number for the home and 10,000 square foot lot would have been $1.5 million.

During Tuesday's hearing, Tax Assessor Joseph Gallagher and a representative of Tyler Technologies/CLT Division reviewed the Stewarts' assessment and the process used to determine the value.

They said the sale of comparable properties at an appreciation of 2.5 percent per month was used to determine current values.

Robert Stewart called the value unreasonable.

“They're basically saying sell your house and get the hell out,” Jeff Stewart said. “That's what they're telling you.”

His brother said the values reflect the peak of the Wildwoods real estate market, and he believes that peak is past.

“Those numbers are gone. There has been a dramatic change,” Robert Stewart said.

Many more North Wildwood residents will likely make similar claims during the new few weeks.

Tax Administrator George R. Brown III said 1,064 city property owners appealed their new assessments and hearing are schedule to run through June.

To e-mail Trudi Gilfillian at The Press:TGilfillian@pressofac.com