SUBUD OF WOODSTOCK INC. v. Town of Barnard, 98-311.

Decision Date10 May 1999
Docket NumberNo. 98-311.,98-311.
PartiesSUBUD OF WOODSTOCK, INC. v. TOWN OF BARNARD.
CourtVermont Supreme Court

Present AMESTOY, C.J., and DOOLEY, MORSE, JOHNSON and SKOGLUND, JJ.

ENTRY ORDER

The Town of Barnard appeals from a decision of the Division of Property Valuation and Review that certain property was entitled to tax-exempt status. The Town contends the division lacked jurisdiction to determine the tax-exempt status of the property. We agree, and therefore vacate the judgment.

Subud of Woodstock, Inc. owns a building and approximately four acres in the town. In 1976, the Town voted to grant Subud tax-exempt status, and thereafter exempted the building and two of the four acres from the property tax. In 1997, the Town voted to rescind the property's tax-exempt status. Thereafter, the board of listers assessed the property at $97,200. Subud filed a grievance with the listers, who subsequently lowered the value to $96,900. Subud appealed to the board of civil authority, claiming that the property: (1) should be tax exempt because it was used for "pious" purposes under 32 V.S.A. § 3802(4), and (2) was assessed at more than its fair market value. The board concluded that the property was properly assessed, and that it lacked the statutory authority to decide the tax-exemption question.

Subud appealed the board's decision to the division, again claiming that the property should be exempt because it was used for religious purposes, and that it was assessed at more than its fair market value. The Town objected that the division lacked authority to determine the tax-exempt status of the property. The director of the division denied the objection. At the subsequent hearing before the appointed appraiser, Subud indicated that it was not contesting the value placed on the property, but only the removal of the tax exemption. Subud then presented evidence that it was a religious organization. The appraiser concluded that the property was used for religious purposes and, therefore, was entitled to be tax exempt. This appeal followed.

It is well settled that "[p]ublic administrative bodies have only such adjudicatory jurisdiction as is conferred on them by statute, with nothing presumed in favor of their jurisdiction." Gloss v. Delaware & Hudson R.R., 135 Vt. 419, 422, 378 A.2d 507, 509 (1977). The Legislature has made it clear that administrative departments may exercise only those powers expressly conferred, and that authority cannot arise through implication. See 3 V.S.A. § 203 (departments shall exercise only powers and duties imposed by law); Miner v. Chater, 137 Vt. 330, 333, 403 A.2d 274, 276-77 (1979) (administrative authority must be express).

The Division of Property Valuation and Review is a division...

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7 cases
  • Our Lady of Ephesus House of Prayer, Inc. v. Town of Jamaica
    • United States
    • Vermont Supreme Court
    • 28 Enero 2005
    ...exemption could bypass the assessment appeal procedure and bring a declaratory judgment action, see Subud of Woodstock, Inc. v. Town of Barnard, 169 Vt. 582, 583, 732 A.2d 749, 750 (1999) (mem.); Gifford Mem'l Hosp. v. Town of Randolph, 119 Vt. 66, 70, 118 A.2d 480, 483 (1955), OLEHOP insis......
  • In re Hinsdale Farm, 2004 VT 72 (VT 8/13/2003), 2002-566.
    • United States
    • Vermont Supreme Court
    • 13 Agosto 2003
    ...only those powers expressly conferred, and that authority cannot arise through implication." Subud of Woodstock, Inc. v. Town of Barnard, 169 Vt. 582, 583, 732 A.2d 749, 750 (1999) (mem.) (citing to 3 V.S.A. § ¶ 11. The only appellate power the Legislature expressly conferred on the WRB was......
  • State v. Grega
    • United States
    • Vermont Supreme Court
    • 30 Diciembre 1999
    ...lacked subject-matter jurisdiction over the motion. Therefore, we vacate the decision below. See Subud of Woodstock, Inc. v. Town of Barnard, 169 Vt. ___, ___, 732 A.2d 749, 751 (1999) (in absence of subject-matter jurisdiction, decision below must be The State argues that we should affirm ......
  • In re Hinsdale Farm
    • United States
    • Vermont Supreme Court
    • 13 Agosto 2004
    ...only those powers expressly conferred, and that authority cannot arise through implication." Subud of Woodstock, Inc. v. Town of Barnard, 169 Vt. 582, 583, 732 A.2d 749, 750 (1999) (mem.) (citing to 3 V.S.A. § ¶ 11. The only appellate power the Legislature expressly conferred on the WRB was......
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