Meeting October 26 , 2005
Meeting opened: 5:00 pm
Present: Russell Bressette Jr. – Chairman
David Royce – member
Gary DePace – member
Kelli A. Robbins, MAA – Assistant Assessor
Read minutes of September 14th meeting. Motion to accept, David Royce 2nd Gary DePace, Approved.
Signed motor vehicle denial & bill schedule .
Met with Mr. Ouellette at 5:20 to discuss chapter land status for his property.
Discussion ensued.
The Board explained the State requirements for the filing deadline and the income verification requirement. They also explained the fiscal year process for which applications are filed and why he has not yet seen the value change for this fiscal year. It will be on the January 1st bill.
The Board of Assessors do not have the statutory authority to waive the filing deadline in the case of fiscal year 07’.
Mr. Ouellette will wait for his bill to come in January and file an abatement.
Office policy discussion.
Considered for office policy; Different forms have been mailed to people who receive various types of tax classifications and exemptions. These mailings are not required of the Town and have been done as a courtesy in the past. Due to the budget cuts and other fiscal restraints these forms will no longer be mailed automatically. They will be sent if a request is made for them and a self-addressed stamped envelope has been provided. These forms will be made available at other locations and are currently available on the town website. This change would be publicized when initiated.
The Board members will each take a copy of the rough draft for office policy home and each work on policy they would like to be considered for the next meeting. Kelli will work on the discretionary motor vehicle abatement policy.
Various personal property bills were submitted for abatement by Town Collector, Dorothy Jenkins as required by Chapter 59, § 71 of the Massachusetts General Laws.
So voted to abate as presented.
Discussion of overlay release to overlay surplus.
David Royce explained prior reasons for releasing overlay to overlay surplus. He expressed concern that it should not be used to balance the budget as it is not a recurring revenue source.
Gary DePace expressed that this is a house keeping measure and should be done on an annual basis. He also stated that it is not the Board of Assessors function to determine the use of the monies but to determine if they are no longer needed to cover possible liability against uncollected accounts. Once all money has been collected the overlay is then overlay surplus and should be treated as such.
Kelli will get a list of uncollected amounts vs the overlay balances for each individual year from the Town Accountant, to see what is no longer necessary to retain and can be released to overlay surplus, for discussion at the next meeting.
Discussion of pay role reduction proposed by the Selectmen and possible affects to the office. Should the Board of Selectmen seek feed back on what would be most suitable for the running of this office, the board of Assessors recommends that the cut hours of the clerk position be distributed evenly over the five day work week in the morning resulting in a the work day beginning at 8am as opposed to 7:30am.
Discussion of roll back taxes for the 15 acre parcel on Macomber Rd. Should they have been done as though there is a possibility for building lots or as back land was discussed. Kelli will present the plan and a letter requesting the planning board to go over their requirements to see if they would potentially give an ANR (approval not required) for this plan.
6 month review of Assistant Assessor. Gary will send Russell and David the review form he currently has. The Board will review the form and it will be brought to the next meeting to be discussed.
Discussion to change meeting time and frequency.
Motion to move the next meeting time to 4PM on November 23rd.
So voted.
Meeting adjourned 8:39 pm
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