HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-09-25 Board of Assessors Minutes/ 0-�
TOWN OF READING
16 LOWELL STREET
READING, MA 01867 -2693
BOARD OF ASSESSORS
TEL.: 781 - 942 -9027
FAX: 781-942-9037
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OPEN SESSION MINUTES
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SEPTEMBER 25, 2012
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MEETING WAS CALLED TO ORDER AT 7:00 P.M.
IN ATTENDANCE:
BOA PRESENT: FRED MCGRANE, RALPH COLORUSSO, ROBERT J.
QUINN, JR. AND ROBERT I. NORDSTRAND
(ASSOCIATE MEMBER).
BOA ABSENT: NONE.
OTHERS PRESENT: VICTOR SANTANIELLO AND PATRICIA
SULLIVAN.
1. APPOINTMENTS: -
7:00 PM - RICHARD W. FINNEGAN & ROBERT J. FINNEGAN
2 MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING(S):
NONE.
3. TOWN APPRAISER'S REPORT:
Note: The Appraiser's report followed the presentation made by Finnegan
Appraisal and Consulting LLC.
Mr. Santaniello briefly described the progress that has been made with
respect to the ongoing CAMA conversion since the Board's last meeting on
September 11, 2012. He stated that his goal was to have Assess Pro 100%
operational for FY 2014.
Mr. Santaniello advised that impact notices do not need to be mailed to
residents, in response to a question from Mr. Colorusso.
The preliminary tag classification meeting was previously scheduled for
October 9, 2012. Mr. Santaniello will ask the Board of Selectmen to
reschedule the preliminary meeting to a later date. The Tag Classification
Hearing is expected to beheld in mid November.
Mr. Santaniello reported that he had attended the September 12, 2012
FINCOM meeting, as previously discussed. He described the meeting as
"uneventful ". FINCOM considered whether the Reading Board of Assessors
should be appointed by the Selectmen in the future. The Reading and
Wakefield Boards of Assessors are both currently elected. David Greenfield
would prefer that the Assessors be appointed due to the technical nature of
their work. Various budgetary matters and perceived communication issues
were also discussed.
Mr. Nordstrand noted that he recently had a conversation with Mr.
Greenfield in which he expressed his personal views on the above matters.
Mr. Colorusso, a long -time Board member, provided the Board with an
historical overview.
It was noted that Mr. David Greenfield is FINCOM's liaison to this Board
and that Mr. Robert LeLacheur is the responsible department head.
4. SIGNINGS:
The Board approved three (3) vendor invoices for payment (Warrant T1314)
in addition to some routine Motor Vehicle Excise Tax Abatements.
The Board approved 413 Main Street LLC real estate tax abatements of
$1,275.12 and $1,307.46 in order to settle pending appeals for FY 2011 and
FY 2012.
The Board also approved the 5th Commitment of 2012 Motor Vehicle Excise
Taxes in the amount of $79,354.73.
5. NEW BUSINESS:
Finnegan Appraisal and Consulting LLC:
Principals Richard W. Finnegan and Robert J. Finnegan presented the
Board with a two page memorandum summarizing their conclusions and
observations regarding the recently completed full field review of all taxable
properties, excluding condominium units. They noted that the field work
took six weeks and was preceded by three weeks of preparation and "pilot
testing ". Mr. LeLacheur will also receive a copy of this memorandum.
The Finnegans opined that the quality of the residential data and its
conversion from the CSC to the Assess Pro CAMA system was generally
"quite good ". Most of the identified errors resulted from problems in
converting the CSC sketches over to Assess Pro. This is significant because
the sketches drive the calculation of living area ( "square footage ") for
residential properties.
The Finnegans also noted that the sketches did not drive the square footage
calculation for commercial properties under the CSC system. However, the
CAMA conversion also used the CSC sketches for commercial properties
which resulted in "many square footage errors ". The Assessing Department
was aware of the problem and has a plan to deal with it. Commercial
property will require a "special effort" for FY 2013.
The Board questioned the Finnegans about their report. Mr. Colorusso noted
the importance of having accurate sketches of all mixed use properties
should Reading ever adopt a split tax rate. Mr. McGrane asked about the
treatment of finished attic space and fractional stories.
The Finnegans offered to return in order to answer any additional questions.
They both left the meeting at 7:30 PM.
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 the Chair having
declared 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 9 PM.
Open Meeting Law Session:
Mr. Quinn reported that he had attended the September 18, 2012 training
session sponsored by the Town Clerk. The proceedings were summarized
and discussed by the Board. Mr. Quinn recommended that the Board review
its procedures for reviewing and reporting tax abatement and exemption
applications.
6. GENERAL BUSINESS:
NONE.
7. CORRESPONDENCE:
Memorandum dated September 25, 2012 from Finnegan Appraisal and
Consulting LLC to the Board of Assessors et al.
ADJOURNMENT:
A motion by Mr. Colorusso seconded by Mr. McGrane to adjourn the
meeting at 9:15 P.M. was approved by a vote of 3 -0 -0.
8. NEXT MEETING(S):
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2012 @ 7:00 P.M.
8a: Anticipated Topics:
TBD
ADJOURNED: 9:15 P.M. ATTEST:
R ERT J. Q , JR. -SEC Y