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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-01-16 Board of Assessors Minutes-TOWN OF FADING 16 LOWELL STREET READING, MA 01867-2693 FAX: 781-942-9037 BOARD OF ASSESSORS ES a 781-942-9027 cD 70 ca rn Reading Board of Assessor Meeting Saturday, January 16, 2010 A meeting of the Board of Assessors was held in the first floor conference room at the Reading Town Hall. The meeting was held in conjunction with a budget meeting of the Reading Board of Selectmen. Present for the Board of Selectmen were Stephen A. Goldy, Ben Tafoya, Rick Schubert and Camille Anthony. Also present were Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner and Assistant Town Manager Robert LeLacheur. The meeting of the Board of Assessors was called to order by Chairman Robert Nordstrand at 8:37 AM. In addition to Mr. Nordstrand, Ralph Colorusso and Fred McGrane were present. Mr. Nordstrand summarized the three line item requests and commented on the justification for each of the line items. He noted that the $30,000 line item for personal property was due in part to the valuation of the taxing of the telecommunication equipment (such as telephone poles, underground conduit and cell ` phone equipment) throughout the town. In response to questioning from the Board of Selectmen, Mr. Colorusso noted that the Board of Assessors will have to have a sufficient allocation of funds to "value and defend" the telecommunication equipment. He further noted that it would be "a daunting task" to defend the values that the Town may place on the equipment. Board of Assessors Minutes January 16, 2010 ...continued) Page, 2 of 3 Mr. Nordstrand noted that the projected $25,000 appraisal costs were in anticipation of justifying the tax assessed value of the so-called Addison-Wesley site (among others). Mr. Nordstrand further noted that given that a triennial year is approaching, the budget request for public hearings was in anticipation of the number of public hearings which may have to be held in response to the new assessed values after the new tax bills get mailed out. He further noted that given that the Town is currently without a full-time Town Appraiser, the Board may have to incur costs to bring back former town employees who would need to be available for the hearings. Mr. Colorusso added that given the current economic conditions, more people are expected to file for abatements. Moreover, personnel time would be absorbed examining the various taxpayer properties which have requested abatements: He further noted that triennial property inspections are required by the Massachusetts Department of Revenue ("DOR") in order that the Town be certified. Following the presentation, Mr. LeLacheur noted that the majority of the budgeted line items appear to be "speculative" in that their usage is dependent upon other activities which may or may not come to pass. Messrs. Nordstrand and Colorusso agreed with that assessment but noted that they felt it wise to have the funds available to fund the various line items as requested. Mr. Hechenbleikner commented that given all of the various issues facing the Board of Assessors; he wondered if it might be wise to request that the revaluation process be postponed. Mr. Nordstrand replied that the Board of Assessors has made that inquiry to the DOR and was informed that the chances that the same would be approved were "slim to none." r ...continued Board of Assessors Minutes January 16, 2010 Page 3 of 3 Next, Mr. Hechenbleikner suggested that the issues noted by the Board of Assessors regarding the assessing of the telecommunication industry equipment might be something that could lend itself to regionalization with other surrounding communities. The Board of Assessors agreed and commented that they were exploring the same. A Motion was made by Mr. McGrane to adjourn the Board of Assessors meeting. The Motion was seconded by Mr. Colorusso and was unanimously approved. The meeting was adjourned at 9:09 AM.