TOWN OF NEWBURY
Board of Assessors
Meeting Minutes
August 21, 2012
The meeting was opened at 6:05 p.m.
Present: S. Wechsler, C. Keville, G. Thompson
Chairman: B. Kelley
Old Business:
Hearing on 121 High Road. - postponed to 10/2/2012. Ginny presented the board with the information to consider the style of home at 121 High Road as a ranch not a cape. This change would reflect the lack of living space above the first floor. After review, the board asked Carrie to refigure the proposals to include the adjustment for a style change.
Re-Organization of office – Budd printed the job descriptions for the Chief Assessor and Clerk positions being proposed by the Town Administrator. After reading, Ginny wondered if there would be a financial gain or loss. The extent that Patriot Properties would still be used and whether Ginny would be kept on were unknown factors. Ginny, given her experience with assessor’s office staffing, seemed skeptical of our ability to attract qualified candidates at the salaries proposed. Sandy was unclear what was trying to be accomplished. He thought coverage of the office was the top concern. He further asked what the nature of the complaints that had been received was and how many.
Normal Business:
- Minutes - Budd read the minutes from 8/7/2012 out loud. His response to the minutes was that the main issue seemed to be no coverage of the office. No other comments being made, Sandy motioned to accept the minutes with two hand changed typographical errors. Budd seconded. The minutes were signed.
- Monthly Abatements – The monthly abatements for August were signed.
- Monthly Manager’s Meeting update - held 3rd Wednesday of each month. The next meeting will be 9/12/2012. Chuck Kostro will speak about the changes in the retirement system.
- ATB - 3 35th Street – The Appellate Tax Board has scheduled the hearing for 10/9/2012. Ginny reviewed the two appraisals from 1/1/2009 and 1/1/2010. The proposal sent added an adjustment of -18% on the land for access issues. This adjustment was inadvertently removed when the 15% deduction was added from previous ocean front homes ATB cases in F2010 and F2011. Budd motioned not to revise the proposal further. Sandy seconded the motion. All were in favor. Budd did ask Carrie to request a response to the proposal sent.
- Office work - Budd asked Carrie where she was in terms of tasks. Noted, this time last year extra help was needed to catch up. Carrie informed the board of the following:
- Deeds current to 8/1/2012
- August motor vehicle and personal property exchanged today
- Sales questionnaires – This task was not reported to be up to date
- Betterment report – Submitted timely
Page 2 Meeting Minutes August 21, 2012
- Mapping – Submitted and scheduled next year to improve requests for funding.
- Chapterland applications – printed need stuffing and mailing
- Record cards for Patriot data collection printed – Patriot has begun
- Address changes – up to date
- E-911 – MSAG list due 3/2012 submitted last week. E-911 GIS email requests for unknown street issues – resolved yesterday
- Records disposal – third request sent
- Carrie will look at other tasks and report back
- Meeting minutes – weekly done timely
Budd noted that organization has improved but still needs work. The board would like more information so they can better judge job performance.
- Mail – Christine Marshall requested personnel documents from Budd and Peter.
Sandy noted that he would not be available to attend the Assessor’s meeting scheduled for September 4, 2012. A meeting for the P.I.L.O.T. Tax Force will post their first meeting on September 4, 2012 as well.
At 6:55 p.m. Budd motioned to adjourn the meeting. Sandy seconded the motion. All were in favor.
____________________________ ______________________________
F. “Budd” Kelley, Chairman Sanford Wechsler
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