Minutes of the

BOARD OF ASSESSORS MEETING

Town Hall, Thursday, April 3, 2003

CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order at 9:00 AM by Chairperson Jack Kosko.

MEMBERS PRESENT: Mr. Kosko, Ms. Pam Parmakian, Ms. Leslie Parsons, Ms. Betty Newman, Mr. Greg Muse (alternate)

MEMBERS ABSENT: Mr. Rick Tourgee

OTHERS PRESENT: Staff: Mr. Dana Faris, Principal Assessor; Mr. John

Warner, Assessing Department Clerk

MINUTES: There were no minutes to approve at this meeting.

PUBLIC STATEMENTS: There were no public statements.

CORRESPONDENCE: Mr. Faris reported on the following recent correspondence sent or received by the Assessors’ Office:

1. A memo from Mr. Faris to Keith Bergman, Town Manager, regarding Special Town Meeting Article 17 and the interpretation of “married” status.

2. A memo from Mr. Faris to the Board regarding the release of additional funds from Overlay Reserve to Overlay Surplus. [Discussion follows]

NEW BUSINESS

Overlay Reserve Fund Transfer: Mr. Faris advised the Board the the State Department of Revenue is requiring that the Town raise a portion of the FY 2002 Cape End Manor deficit out of free cash. The Finance Department is examining every possible funding source for additional revenue and has asked the Board to examine the Overlay Reserve Fund again to determine if there are any additional funds that could be released to Overlay Surplus. In light of this request, Ms. Parmakian moved, seconded by Ms. Parsons, to release an additional $20,326 from FY’02, $2,800 from FY’01 and $2,200 from FY’00 Overlay Reserve to Overlay Surplus for 2003 Annual Town Meeting. The motion carried by a vote of 5-0.

Exemptions Update: Mr. Faris advised the Board that, after discussion of STM Article 17, the Board of Selectmen asked him to update the exemption brochure to reflect the Assessors’ broader interpretation of the “married” status in the brochure’s language. Ms. Parmakian moved, seconded by Ms. Parsons, to include the phrase “or in a domestic partnership” wherever the word “married” appears. The motion carried by a vote of 5-0.

Tax-Title Properties/Takings:

Robinson Investment Trust, 107 Race Point Rd. Ms. Parmakian moved, seconded by Ms. Parsons, to proceed with the low-value taking of this property. The motion carried by a vote of 5-0.

Executive Session: At 9:20 AM, Ms. Parsons moved, seconded by Ms. Parmakian, to go into executive session for the purpose of reviewing proposed FY’03 values. The motion carried by a vote of 5-0.

At 9:50 AM, Ms. Parsons moved, seconded by Ms. Newman, to come out of executive session. The motion carried by a vote of 5-0.

Motor Vehicle Excise Tax Abatements: Mr. Warner reported on the following applications for abatement and recommended that they be granted:

· Fully abate 14 bills from 2002/2003 as a result of bills issued in error

· Partially abate12 bills from 2002/2003 as a result of vehicle sales or trades.

Ms. Parmakian moved, seconded by Ms. Parsons, to grant these abatements in accordance with staff recommendations. The motion carried by a vote of 5-0.

OTHER/MISCELLANEOUS:

Assessing Team and Office News: There was no assessing team or office news that was not fully covered elsewhere in the minutes.

Future Meeting Dates: There will be a meeting of the Board of Assessors on Tuesday, April 8, 2003 at 8:30 AM.

ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business to come before the Board, Ms. Parsons moved that the meeting be adjourned at 9:55 and the meeting was adjourned.

Respectfully submitted:

__________________________ ______ __________________

Pam Parmakian, Clerk Dana Faris, Principal Assessor