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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-08-21 Board of Assessors MinutesTOWN OF READING 16 LOWELL STREET / GrLtlY1- Cif' a READING, MA 01867 -2693 O 639'INC OR4�RP BOARD OF ASSESSORS, D Q TEL.: 781 - 942 - 9027 -4 m FAX: 781 - 942 -9037 = C) n C) r< 3mm >MC ) cn7K C4 OPEN SESSION MINUTES AUGUST 21, 2012 MEETING WAS CALLED TO ORDER AT 7:00 P.M IN ATTENDANCE: BOA: FM, RC, BQ, BN (ASSOCIATE MEMBER) BOA ABSENT: NONE OTHER: VICTOR SANTANIELLO, PAT SULLIVAN & ROBERT LELACHEUR 1. APPOINTMENTS: - ATTORNEY GARY S. BRACKETT, TOWN COUNSEL @7:00 P.M. (EXECUTIVE SESSION) 2. MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING /S: NONE. 3. TOWN APPRAISER'S REPORT: Mr. Santaniello and Ms. Sullivan described the progress that had been made with respect to the ongoing CAMA conversion since the Board's last meeting. Ms. Sullivan stated that Finnegan Appraisal had begun its full field review on August 6. The two Finnegans plan to work through the properties in the order that they are included on the Assessors' Maps. Ms. Sullivan noted that they started with Assessor Map #3 and had worked their way through Assessor Map #17. The current expectation is that Finnegan Appraisal will complete its assignment by mid September. Mr. Santaniello described some of the "sketching issues" that have been encountered thus far, particularly those pertaining to raised ranches /splits. Mr. Santaniello noted that he and Ms. Sullivan have reviewed approximately 400 sketches to date. Mr. Santaniello also informed the Board of some other minor data conversion issues that necessarily have to be resolved on a "hunt and peck" basis. For example, the number of (fractional) stories and finished vs. unfinished area require tweaking on certain properties. The imported data for Reading's 887 condominium units still needs to be reviewed. Mr. McGrane asked Mr. Santaniello and Ms. Sullivan if they were both "comfortable with what's going on ". They assured him that they were. With respect to FY 2013 real estate tax bills, Mr. Santaniello said that he planned to apply an "interim adjustment" to the state CAMA data (i.e., FY 2012 assessed values) and bill off of the Patriot Properties system. 4. SIGNINGS: - The Board approved some routine motor vehicle excise tax abatements and certified abutter lists. 5. NEW BUSINESS: - Appellate Tax Board Cases: A motion by Mr. McGrane seconded by Mr. Colorusso to go into Executive Session to consider litigation/settlement strategy with respect to pending litigation now before the Appellate Tax Board, and that the Chair declares that an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the negotiating position of the Town, was approved on a roll call vote with all three members voting in the affirmative. The Board reconvened in Open Session at 7:45 PM. Attorney Brackett and Mr. LeLacheur then left the meeting. Other: The Board commented on the general state of the Reading residential market. Mr. Colorusso said that he expects that the Board of Selectmen will soon be looking for some input regarding the Overlay Account and New Growth, probably towards the end of September. ADJOURNMENT: A motion by Mr. McGrane seconded by Mr. Colorusso to adjourn the meeting at 8:30 P.M. was approved by a vote of 3 -0 -0. 6. General Business: 7. CORRESPONDENCE: - NONE. 8. NEXT MEETING(S): TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2012 @ 7:00 P.M. 8a: Anticipated Topics: CAMA CONVERSION UPDATE ATB FOLLOW -UP (EXECUTIVE SESSION PENDING LITIGATION) ADJOURNED: 8:30 P.M. ATTEST: BERT K QUINN, JR.- SECRETARY