TOWN OF PROVINCETOWN

DEPARTMENT OF MUNICIPAL FINANCE - ASSESSORS’ OFFICE

 

260 Commercial Street, Provincetown, MA  02657

Telephone (508) 487-7017     Fax (508) 487-9560

 

Minutes of the

BOARD OF ASSESSORS MEETING

Town Hall, Monday, February 18, 2004

 

CALL TO ORDER:                          Chairperson Jack Kosko called the meeting to order at 9:00 A. M.

MEMBERS PRESENT:                   Mr. Kosko, Ms. Pam Parmakian, Ms. Leslie Parsons, Mr. Greg Muse

 

MEMBERS ABSENT:                     Ms. Betty Newman, excused

 

OTHERS PRESENT:                        Staff:  Mr. Dana Faris, Principal Assessor; Mr. Richard Faust, Assistant Assessor

 

MINUTES:                                        Ms. Parmakian made a motion to accept the minutes, dated February 11, 2004. Ms. Parsons seconded the motion.  The vote carried 4-0.

 

PUBLIC STATEMENTS:  There were no public statements.

 

NEW BUSINESS:

Additional Tax Burden Sharing Options.

Mr. Faris gave a brief overview of the pros and cons of residential and small business exemptions. After a brief discussion, Ms. Parsons moved, and Ms. Parmakian seconded, that the Board recommend against granting a residential exemption. The motion carried by a vote of 4-0.  A further motion by Ms. Parsons, also seconded by Ms. Parmakian, recommended against granting a small commercial exemption.  This motion also carried by a vote of 4-0.

 

Sponsorship of Articles for Town Meeting

1.        The Board next considered a proposed Home Rule Petition/ Charter Amendment that would address the problem the Town is having meeting DOR training requirements for assessors.  The charter amendment would make the Principal Assessor, who has completed the necessary training, a member of the Board and would also exempt the Board of Assessors from term limits.  Mr. Muse moved and Ms. Parmakian seconded a motion to have the Assessors join the Selectmen in sponsoring the said amendment.  The motion carried by a vote of 4-0.

2.        The Board also discussed two proposed articles relating to abandonment of portions of Browne Street. The purpose of the articles is to release the abandoned Town-owned land to the abutters so that it can be placed back on the tax rolls.  Ms. Parsons moved and Mr. Muse seconded a motion to join the Selectmen in sponsoring the articles.  The motion carried 4-0.

Transfer of Overlay Reserve to Overlay Surplus

Mr. Faris presented the Board with a reconciliation of the Overlay Reserve Fund.  On a motion by Mr. Muse, seconded by Ms. Parsons, the Board voted 4-0 to transfer from Overlay Reserve to the Overlay Surplus Fund the sum of $27,000 as follows:  $20,000 from FY 2003, $5,000 from FY 2002, $1,000 from FY 2001, and $1,000 from FY 2000.

 

Other New Business

Final Sewer Betterment:  Mr. Faris reported that he had received the final Phase 1 sewer betterment commitment, Ms. Parmakian moved, seconded by Mr. Kosko, to pass to pass this betterment commitment to the Tax Collector.  The motion carried 4-0.

First Motor Vehicle Commitment:  Mr. Faris announced that the first 2004 motor vehicle commitment totaling $334,050 had been received.  It is expected that bills will be mailed March 4.

Assessing Team and Office News:  Mr. Faris read a letter from Mr. Rick Tourgee announcing that he was resigning from the Board of Assessors, effective February 13, 2004.  Mr. Tourgee cited business time constraints as the reason for his resignation.  Mr. Kosko, moved, seconded by Ms. Parmakian moved, that the minutes reflect the Board’s thanks and appreciation to Mr. Tourgee for his service to the Town.

Future Meeting Dates:  No future meeting date has been set.

 

ADJOURNMENT:  There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 9:32 a.m.

 

Respectfully submitted:

 

 

__________________________                                            ______            __________________

Pam Parmakian, Clerk                                                              Dana Faris, Principal Assessor