2013-02-12 Board of Assessors Minutes

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3. TOWN APPRAISER'S REPORT: A total of only 46 Abatement Applications have been received for FY 2013. The total includes 29 residential, 12 commercial and 5 personal property applications. None of the applicants have requested to meet with the Board to date. By comparison, a total of 76 Abatement Applications were received for FY 2012. Mr. Santaniello met with MADOR on Monday along with representatives from about 20 other towns. Points of emphasis included the valuation of gas stations and larger apartment buildings (Property Code 112 - more than 8 units). Property sketches for townhouse style condominiums should also be given special attention. Mr. Santaniello and Ms. Sullivan have been performing abatement related inspections together so as to achieve greater consistency in practice. Patriot Properties is making good progress with the cyclical data recollection program. Patriot is almost finished with the Barrows School district. The Birch Meadow School district will be canvassed next. General advisories continue to be placed in the local media and posted on the Town's website. Reading's reverse 911 has proven to be a useful tool in this endeavor. "I'm sorry I missed you" tags will not be hung on residents' doors due to security concerns. Mr. Santaniello reported that a concerned resident had inquired whether criminal background checks had been done for all of Patriot's field personnel. At the time, they had not. However, CORI checks have now been completed for all Patriot personnel working in Reading. Mr. LeLacheur helped Mr. Santaniello resolve this matter to the resident's satisfaction. 4. OTHER SIGNINGS: The Board approved Statutory Exemptions totaling $13,275 (including $1,400 relating to disabled veterans) and routine Motor Vehicle Excise Tax abatements totaling $6,465.47. Reading has had PILOT (Payment in Lieu of Taxes) Agreements with three tax exempt organizations for many years. The Board approved three letters