APPROVED 3-26-08
Minutes of Meeting
Town of Monson
Board of Assessor
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Members Present: Chairman Russell Bressette Jr., Assessors David Royce and Craig BenoiT
Members Absent:
Principal Assessor: Diane L. Hildreth
Open the Meeting: The meeting was called to order at 9:30 am.
Accept the Minutes: A motion was made by Craig and seconded by David to accept the minutes of February 20, 2008. Motion passed unanimously.
OLD BUSINESS:
NEW BUSINESS:
Excise: The board approved 2008 Motor Vehicle and Trailer Excise Abatements in the amount of $4,409.40; 2007 Motor Vehicle and Trailer Excise Abatements in the amount of $191.67; 2006 Motor Vehicle and Trailer Excise Abatements in the amount of $31.25. One Excise Abatement was denied due to being too low to abate.
Exemptions: The board reviewed two exemption applications. One was approved with the second one tabled until more information is provided.
Abatement Applications: Eleven abatement applications were approved by the board. Eight applications were denied. There are five abatement applications still to be reviewed at our next meeting.
Quaboag Heights Condos: The board discussed the new 55+ condos located at 46 Palmer Road. Some condos are standard grade both interior and exterior. Some condo’s have superior interior finish. This would have an impact on value. The assessors are in agreement that any condo with a more an interior upgrade (i.e.: corian counters/major tile work/ Jacuzzi/upgrade in cabinets and fixtures would have an adjustment factor added to the base for FY 09. Diane will be scheduling appointments for interior inspection as part of the 2007 sales review.
On another note the building department has added a requirement for taxpayers requesting their final inspection on new or major construction. One of the requirements will need to have the assessor sign off after an interior/exterior inspection has been complete. This will allow for a full review to ensure accurate information on the property is obtained as the property is going on the tax commitment.
70 Palmer Road, Quaboag Country Club Revision of Value: Due to a conversion error the improvements on the Quaboag Country Club property record card was omitted from the FY 2008. In light of this omission a Additional Tax Due to Revision of Valuation Warrant in the amount of $6,632.29 was signed along with a Warrant to Collect an additional $198.97 for the CPA surcharge.
FY2009 Budget Cuts: The board discussed the budget crisis along with proposed items slated to be cut from the budget in light of this crisis. The assessor’s salaries are one of the potential cuts.
Verizon Telephone and the ATB Order: Correspondence from DOR informing the assessors of the recent decision of the ATB order and the affect it would also have on cable companies. Diane will request from the Comcast updated Form of Lists to compile with the new order.
Office Updates: Tax map project is progressing. Ann is working on combining Chapterland parcels. The office is starting to determine the parcels with common ownership, contiguous and under the same deed to be combined for FY09.
NEXT MEETING: The next meeting has been scheduled for Wednesday, March 26, 2008 @ 9:30 am.
ADJOURN: At 11:45 a.m., a motion was made by Russell and seconded by Craig to adjourn. Motion passed unanimously.
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