The Board of Civil Authority 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 hears appeals from final decisions of the Listers as to the valuation of property. The Board meets when required at the Town Office.

Members include the Town Clerk, the Justices of Peace and the Selectboard.

The Board of Civil Authority can be contacted through the Town Office at (802) 254 6857.

The Board of Abatement VS the Board of Civil Authority

The main difference between the Board of Abatement (BOA) and the Board of Civil Authority (BCA) in Vermont is that the BOA hears requests for tax abatement, while the BCA hears tax appeals: 

The BOA hears requests for tax and utility abatement, which is a statutory process that can relieve taxpayers of some or all of their property taxes, penalties, and interest. The BOA is made up of the Justices of the Peace, Selectboard Members, Town Clerk plus the Town Treasurer. The BOA’s decisions do not affect the assessment of the property.

To request a hearing for tax or utility abatement, see below, or contact the Town Office at treasurer@guilfordvt.gov or call 802-254-6857 x 102.

  • Board of Civil Authority (BCA)

The BCA hears tax appeals, which are when a property owner disagrees with the listers’ assessed value of their property. The BCA is made up of the Justices of the Peace, Selectboard Members, and Town Clerk. The BCA also has other responsibilities, such as assisting with elections and maintaining the voter checklist. 

For more information about tax assessment appeal, contact our Assessor Clerk at listers@guilfordvt.gov or call the Town Office at 802-254-6857 x 104.

Click here for “Request for Abatement” form