BOARD OF ASSESSORS

TOWN OF DUNBARTON

MIINUTES OF MEETING

 

March 15, 2005

 

 

 

Present:          Timothy Terragni, Chairman

                        John Swindlehurst, II

                        Bryan Clark

 

                        Bud Noyes, Appraiser

 

Sandra Schmucki from Vision Appraisals meet with the board.

 

She stated that at the end of February Visions had finished 86% of measuring of  buildings.  As of today’s  date they are almost finished.  Danielle is just cleaning up the loose ends and the last batch of cards will be in the system by the 25th of March.  The week of the 28th Vision will do the call back notices.  She stated that they used to place notices on the doors of residents but this never worked because they would get lost. 

 

Sandra stated that after the letters go out to the residents they are given five days to call in for an appointment.  Vision will be going back around the first week of April or the following week, depending on progress.  A number of homes need to be seen, around 550 or more.  Sandra also stated that the taxpayers in Dunbarton have been very welcoming so far.    She also verified that the process for measuring was that at the time the buildings are measured there is an attempt by the data collector to get inside the home and then she would make a second attempt on a Saturday and then the third step would be a written notice.

 

They will be splitting up the town by maps so that they can cover the appointments in a orderly fashion.  They will probably be spending about fourteen days for call backs and the appointments would be no more than twenty minutes each.  They would only be doing the interior inspections.  The call back number for the taxpayers to make appointments would be a toll free 800 number to the Vision Office in Massachusetts.  Their maps numbers would be listed on their letters so that when they call in the company will call their map up on the computer and have a list of times and dates for appointments in that area. They will have one Saturday for convenience and they will be scheduling about twenty three appointments per day. 

 

Sandra reviewed the checklist that the data collectors use when they inspect homes.   She noted that after the data collector  went through the home,  she would have the taxpayer sign the card.  This was proof that she was allowed in the building.  She also showed the board the computer printout which results from the information gathered which included a sketch of the home and a picture.

The Board asked how they were handling driveways because of all the snow we have had.  Sandra stated that she did not think this was a problem but would check with Danielle.    

 

Bud Noyes asked how Vision was flagging or marking for pickups or returns.  Sandra stated that if the data collector saw that a home or part of a home was under construction or partially finished, the taxpayer would be asked if they are still working on the building or Vision would check for a building permit.  The property record would be marked “UC” for under construction and by this code a list could be printed anytime for call backs in the future. 

 

Sandra was asked how the site was valued.  She stated that they would observe the topo that can be seen, that the whole parcel was not walked, but if they observed rolling hills or flat even land, the land would be valued accordingly.  Also, if there was a pond or marsh area, that would be noted as well.  She expressed that the taxpayer would not be shown the card at this time.  This information belongs to Vision at this time and would not even be given to the Assessors of Dunbarton.

 

Sandra was asked what information they have taken from the town.  She stated that the data base was transferred from Dunbarton’s BMSI program to Vision to give them a starting place -  Owners names, addresses, location of the property and the history of the assessments.  The assessment history was very important because Vision could look at the old/new values and see if anything unusual jumps out at them.  This eliminates errors.

 

John Swindlehurst stated that the Board wanted Vision to list all kitchen utilities and asked if that was being done.  Sandra said she would check but reminded the board that personnel property was not taxable.  She also stated that if kitchen appliances were built in they would definitely be listed. 

 

Sandra was asked how current use property were assessed.  She stated that she was only overseeing the data collection and Monica Gordon was the one in charge of handling the land values.  She would be glad to check with Monica.

 

She did state that the prime site on the land or home site would be the one acre and the rest would be excess.  Bud Noyes stated that the town may have an estate that takes up about four acres, and wanted to know what they would do with that parcel.  She thought that the prime site would be set by zoning.  Again she stated that Monica Gordon would be the one to talk with about that.

 

Sandra stated that she will be meeting with Monica a couple of times and they will go over the sales analysis.  Monica will then discuss it with the board.  Monica will look at the sales, the construction of the houses, etc.  They will go out and look at each house again to verify that the data collector has put the correct information on the card.   At that time they will make adjustments if necessary. 

 

Other Business:

 

Minutes of 2/15/05 and 3/10/05 were reviewed.  Motion by Bryan Clark to accept the minutes was seconded by Tim Terragni and the vote was in the affirmative.

 

Current use penalties for the following were reviewed and signed:

1.      Susanne & Robert Stich, B5-2-2, $1476.

2.      GPS Properties, LLC, C3-4-3, $9500.

 

Abatements for the following were reviewed and signed:

1.      Thomas Gleason, J3-02-02B, $271.35 (Mobile home removed).

2.      Army Corpo of Engineers, (E2-1-1, less than $5 due).

3.      Town of Dunbarton, G2-3-12, Caleb’s Way, (now town road).

4.      Cheryl Tucci, E5-5-11, (less than $5 due).

 

An invoice in the amount of $1,132.00 from Bud Noyes for appraisal services was reviewed.  John Swindlehurst made the motion to approve payment of this invoice, the motion was seconded by Bryan Clark and the vote was in the affirmative.

 

A timber tax warrant for Edward & Sherilyn Paquette, E4-1-11 was signed.  Also, the board signed the certification of timber cut for the same.

 

A letter of request for funds from the Trustees of Trust Funds was signed requesting funds in the amount of $6764.00 to reimburse the town for services provided by Vision Appraisals to date. 

 

An application for Veteran’s credit in the name of Walter Skantze, J2-1-32, of 72 Old Fort Lane, was reviewed and approved by the Board.

 

John Swindlehurst made the motion to nominate Tim Terragni as Chairman of the Board of Assessors.  Bryan Clark seconded the motion and the motion carried.

 

The appeal from Ralph Felbaum for the 2004 tax year on lot H2-4-2 was reviewed.  The board flet they had done all they could for Mr. Felbaum and they would not make changes to his assessment.  The motion to deny this appeal was made by Tim Terragni, seconded by Bryan Clark.  The motion carried and the appeal was denied.  The signed denial of the appeal will be mailed to Mr. Felbaum.  It was noted that his next step would be to appeal to the state.

 

Current Use:  John Swindlehurst stated that he briefly reviewed the surveys that were returned last year by taxpayers.  He stated that he did not agree with the information that some people had written on their forms.  He felt the board should review them and make adjustments according the town maps, and charts provided from the state.  The board will get together and review each current use parcel and then give their findings to Vision to apply the grades. 

 

Motion to adjourn at 8:45pm was made, seconded and passed.

 

 

 

                                                                        ________________________________

                                                                        Timothy Terragni, Chairman

 

 

                                                                        ________________________________

                                                                        John Swindlehurst, II

 

 

                                                                        _______________________________

                                                                        Bryan Clark

                                                                        Dunbarton Board of Assessors

 

Recorded by:  Janice VandeBogart, Town Administrator