FARMINGTON – A Phillips couple has filed an appeal of the town assessors’ decision on their request for an abatement of their property taxes with the Franklin County Commission.

Commissioners agreed Tuesday to hold an abatement hearing at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 7, starting at the county courthouse, and, if need be, a site visit will be made.

Commissioner Gary McGrane of Jay said from what he read of Robert and Tracy Wright’s application to appeal the town’s decision there are some questions that need to be answered.

The Wrights requested an abatement for the 2005 tax year on their residential property that includes a house and 1.66 acres at 71 Main St.

The couple bought the property for $105,000 on Feb. 2, 2005, according to a letter the couple sent to commissioners dated Sept. 6, 2006.

The Wrights estimate the fair market value of their property is $108,006.

The town valued the property originally at $156,600 and this past June, the property was re-evaluated and the value reduced to $126,740, the couple stated in a letter to commissioners.

The Wrights’ taxes were set at $2,991 and even though the assessment was lowered in June, Tracy Wright said Thursday, the town denied an abatement to refund tax dollars from the difference between the higher and lower values.

The couple has requested an abatement of $928.13.

Wright said she reviewed other properties and values in town to determine the valuation estimate.

The couple also noted in their letter that they have made about $40,000 worth of improvements to the property since they bought it.

After they received their tax bill in August 2005, the Wrights went to the town office to discuss it with Selectman/Assessor Eric Kinney and then Town Manager Laura Toothaker.

Attempts to reach Kinney Thursday were unsuccessful.

The Wrights say they consider the tax bill too high, and that they are not being treated fairly.

They also said one reason they felt their tax bill was too high was its former use as a funeral home, according to the letter.

The couple who was considering setting up a home-based businesses at the time, claim town officials informed them that all residences on Main Street were zoned general purpose and not commercial, and regardless of whether they used the property for a residence or as a business, it would be zoned and taxed the same.

The couple set up their businesses – his, an office for his appliance repair business and hers, an office for tax preparation and audit assistance.