Understanding Your Data Mailer   PURPOSE OF THE DATA MAILER Data mailers are used to advise property owners what information has been collected as to the physical characteristics of their property. The data mailer contains parcel and improvement information, which is sent to the property owner for verification of the data. IMPORTANCE OF THE DATA MAILER The information contained in the Data Mailer will be used when the City sets values for the 2008 Assessment Roll.  Accurate inventory is the foundation of the valuation process. RETURNING YOUR DATA MAILER The Data Mailer should be reviewed by the property owner.  Incorrect information should be crossed out and corrected.  We have supplied you with two copies of the document so you may keep one for your records.  We have also enclosed a self addressed envelope for your use. PLEASE RETURN THE DATA MAILERS ON OR BEFORE AUGUST 1, 2007. THE "RESIDENCE" SECTION OF THE DATA MAILER To avoid confusion please not the following: Number of Baths: A full bathroom is one that consists of three or more fixtures, usually a toilet, water basin, and bathtub and/or shower stall. A half-bath is one that consists of only two fixtures, usually a toiler and a water basin.     Number of Bedrooms: This item is used to record the number of rooms in a residence that were designed to be used primarily as a bedroom, even though they may currently be used as an office or den.     Number of Fireplaces: This item is used to record the actual number of openings for functional fireplaces which exist in the residence.   Woodstoves and freestanding fireplaces are not to be recorded here.     Year Built: This item is used to record the actual year in which the residence was constructed. If the owner does not know the actual year of construction, estimate to the best of your ability     Heat Type: This area is used to record whether or not the residence has central heat (e.g., a heating unit which supplies heat to most or all of the living area in the residence). If there is a secondary heating system in the residence, the central ( or main ) system should be indicated and if there is another system present, it should be noted on the data mailer. HEAT TYPE CATEGORIES USED  1 No Central Heat- This indicates that there is no heat source, or heat is primarily provided by stoves or space heaters. 2 Hot Air - This indicates that heat is primarily provided through a central forced air system. 3 Hot Water/Steam - This indicates that heat is provided primarily though a central hot water or steam system. 4 Electric - This indicates that heat is primarily provided through an electric baseboard heating system.   Fuel Type: FUEL TYPE CATEGORIES USED 1 - None 2 - Gas (natural or LP) 3 - Electric 4 - Oil 5 - Wood 6 - Solar 7 - Coal 8 - Geothermal heat   Finished Rec Room: This area is used to record basement area that has finished living space in building styles other than a Raised Ranch or Split Level home. A finished recreation room will have finished walls, floors, and ceilings, as well as adequate lighting and heat. The finished area must be similar in quality to that found in the main living area, but does not have to be finished with the same materials. This will not be added into the square footage of living area and it will not be costed.   THE "IMPROVEMENTS" SECTION OF THE DATA MAILER This section records items other than the Square Foot Living Area of the residence, or records other structures on the site.  "Improvements" on the Residential Structure may include, but are not limited to, decks, porches, attached garages, etc.  Items also found in this section also include what is referred to as "Yard Improvements" such as free standing sheds, detached garages, pools, etc.  These items may have originally been part of the primary structure or added at a later date by the previous or current owner. Description: This area shows the three digit alphanumeric structure code used to denote the type of improvement being described and a brief description of the item. A more detailed description of Improvements codes can be found below.     Quan: Indicates the Quantity.     Dim 1 When describing the dimensions of an item this is the measurement of the first side.  If square feet is being used it is the number of square feet (with Dim 2 being blank).     Dim 2 When describing the dimensions of an item this is the measurement of the second side.      Year Built: This item is used to record the year built (chronological age) of the improvement. In many cases the date will be the same for the main structure but it could be different, especially in the case of yard improvements (Sheds, Pools, Etc.). MS1 An MS1 improvement code was designed for items which there is no structure.  In such cases a miscellaneous structure, "MS1" code is used.  Our office is attempting to minimize the use of this code and work continues to that end. If you have questions about the data mailer or items contained on it, please call our office at (518) 439-6614.   COMMON IMPROVEMENT CODE DESCRIPTIONS CP5 Canopy, roof only - a residential quality canopy or possibly a roof extension. CP6 Canopy, with slab - the same as above but with a slab for walking or driving on. CP7 Canopy with slab and screens - basically a screened in porch with a concrete floor instead of wood. FB1 Barn, one story dairy - these barns are equipped with rows of cow stanchions, cups, and stalls.  Floors are concrete with gutters.  The base cost includes stanchions, cups, stalls, concrete floor, electric wiring, lights, insulation, and mechanical ventilation. FB2 Barn, one and one-half story dairy - same as FB1, except with a half story of storage above for use as a haymow. FB3 Barn, two story dairy - same as FB1, except with a full second story area for use as a haymow. FB4 Barn, one story general purpose - these barns have minimum stalls or pens often for young stock, beef cattle or sheep. The base schedule includes minimum pens, concrete floor, electric wiring, and lights FB5 Barn, one and one-half story general purpose - same as FB4, except with half a story of storage above for use as a haymow. FB6 Barn, two story general purpose - same as FB4, except with a full second story of storage for use as a haymow. FB7 Barn, pole - a one story large area barn with roof rafters or trusses supported by poles and lacking a foundation. They may be used for general storage, to house livestock, poultry, or general farm use. The base cost includes concrete floor, electric wiring, and lights. FC1 Shed - a small one story wood shed used for storage. The base price excludes any wiring, plumbing, or floor. FC2 Shed, aluminum - a small one story prefabricated shed used for storage. The base price excludes any wiring, plumbing, or floor.  (Note: These carry little or no assessed value) FC3 Shed, galvanized - a small shed similar to FC2, but made of galvanized sheet steel instead of aluminum.  (Note: These carry little or no assessed value) FC4 Shed, finished metal - a small one story metal shed used for storage or as a shop. The base price includes exterior walls of heavy metal with a baked on finish, a masonry floor, a foundation, and wiring for lights. GH2 Greenhouse, residential - base price includes wooden or metal frame, foundation, heating, lighting, plumbing, glass or fiberglass walls and roof.   (Note:  Temporary Greenhouses are not collected) LP3 Patio, concrete - concrete paving of patios including minor site preparation, but no base. LS1 Pool, steel vinyl - an in ground swimming pool with flexible vinyl liner. Base cost includes filtering system and circulating pump. LS2 Pool, fiberglass - an in ground swimming pool with rigid fiberglass shell over concrete, concrete block, or wood wall.  Base cost includes filtering system, circulating pump, chlorinator, and diving board. LS3 Pool, poured concrete - an in ground swimming pool made of precast concrete or concrete poured in forms. Base cost includes filtering system, circulating pump, chlorinator, and diving board. LS4  Pool, gunite - an in ground swimming pool consisting of a pneumatically applied mixture of concrete over a steel mesh frame.  This is a premium type pool and can be found in many shapes. Base cost includes filtering system, circulating pump, chlorinator, and diving board. LS5 Pool, above ground - an above ground swimming pool consisting of a steel or aluminum panel with wall braces and vinyl liner.  Base cost includes filtering system and circulating pump. RC1 Carport, residential type - the base price includes a single pitched roof, poles or columns to support the roof, and a concrete pad. RG1  Garage, one story attached - an average quality residential type garage which shares at least one common wall with the house.  The base price includes a foundation, masonry floor, and lights. There is no interior finish. RG2 Garage, one and one-half story attached - similar to RG1, except having an unfinished half story attic area. RG3 Garage, two story attached - similar to RG1, except with a full unfinished second story used for storage. RG4 Garage, one story detached - an average quality residential type garage which is not connected to any other building. RG5 Garage, one and one-half story detached - similar to RG4, but with an unfinished half story attic area. RG6 Garage, two story detached - similar to RG4, but with a full unfinished second story used for storage. RG7 Garage with an apartment - detached garage with vehicle storage on the first floor and living space on the second floor.  The first floor interior finish should be comparable to a 1 story garage and the second floor should have typical residential grade finish and attributes. RP1 Open/Deck - a residential type porch consisting of a wood floor. RP2 Porch, covered - a residential type porch consisting of a wood roof over a wood floor. RP3 Porch, screen - a residential type porch consisting of a wood roof over a wood floor on piers with screen walls. RP4 Porch, enclosed - a residential type porch consisting of a wood roof over a wood floor with wood walls. It differs from living area because it has no interior finish or utilities. It is usually of cheaper construction than the dwelling. RP5 Porch, upper open - similar to the RP1 but found on the upper story of the dwelling. If there is another porch beneath it, it must be inventoried as another improvement record. RP6 Porch, upper covered - similar to the RP2 but found on the upper story of the dwelling. If there is another porch beneath it, it must be inventoried as another improvement record. RP7 Porch, upper screened - similar to the RP3 but found on the upper level of the dwelling. If there is another porch beneath it, it must be inventoried as another improvement record. RP8 Porch, upper enclosed - similar to the RP4 but found on the upper level of the dwelling. If there is another porch beneath it, it must be inventoried as another improvement record.