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CCM is the owner of Clifton Park Center and a subsidiary of Clifton Park-based DCG Development. The company is challenging the town's assessments of the Center for 2006, 2007, 2008, and 2009.
DCG Development bought the mall in April 2006 for $11 million. At the time, the property was assessed at $30.8 million. The mall's 2009 assessment is $17.3 million
The claims will soon be heard by a judge. Attorneys from the two parties, along with legal counsel for the Shenendehowa School District, will lay out their positions.
The owners of the Target store are challenging assessments of $10.28 million for 2008 and $7.6 million in 2009.
Clifton Park assessor Walter Smead was guarded in what he would say about the cases due to the litigation.
He acknowledged the $11,000 was moved between his department's budget lines to pay for recent appraisals of the two properties and as preparation to pay for the time the appraiser may spend in court on behalf of the town.
In addition to deputy town attorney Lou Renzi, the town has hired attorney Daniel Vincelette to assist in preparing the case.
"We are exchanging ap-praisals right now," Smead said. "I talk with other assessors all the time and every town in New York State is getting hit with grievances like these. This type of action has become just another part of doing business for the big companies, but with this economy we're seeing more of it."
Shen's assistant superintendent for finance and operations Kathy Wetmore said she is fully aware of the two claims.
She has run hundreds of scenarios through the district's computer programs to see what the financial affect would be on the district should the assessments be reduced.
Wetmore agreed with Smead the tax "certs," or certiorari claims, seem never-ending. "As one of these cases falls off our books another one seems to take its place," she said.
