Good morning. I call to order the town of Dy water assessors regular meeting July 22nd 2026. The time is 9:08 a.m. This is a public meeting being video and audio recorded for cable broadcast and internet posting on
www.im-m.gov and YouTube. Like to ask everyone to please stand for the pledge of allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation
under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Thank you all. [clears throat] >> All here. There's no old business. So, we get right into new business.
Put a little bit over here. [snorts] >> [clears throat] >> Mr. Chairman, I move that we approve and sign the W 2026 motor vehicle abatements [clears throat] and trailer excise uh July 20th 26 in
the amount of $2,7637. >> I second the motion. >> Motion made and seconded. Is there any discussion? Hearing none. All in favor? I >> there's not there's no motor vehicle for 25.
>> So we have already signed off on the roll back. Um I just forgot to put it in the warrant commitment form so it can be in So, what do you need from us? We've already approved this.
>> You we've already approved the amount for the roll back, but we haven't actually committed it to the record to the to the So, that's going to do that. >> This is two signatures, right? >> Um, Mr. Chairman, I move that we
approve and sign the commitment dated July 22nd, 2026. >> I second the motion. >> Motion being seconded. Any discussion? Hearing none. All in favor? [snorts] >> I
commitment number three for motor vehicle. The third one of 2026. Mr. Chairman, I move that we approve and sign commitment motor vehicle excise tax 2026-3
the amount of 78,82983. I second that motion. >> Motion made second. Is there any discussion hearing? None. All in favor? I I Okay. So this is the um
may step up to the table. >> Sure. [snorts] >> You don't want first to not have it chair. fire. >> I don't think we really if you want.
>> Oh, that's right. Oh, he doesn't have to sign. That's my name. same [snorts] as uh when I run for office I have to put William and then parenthesis no it's required
>> on the ballot or something >> has to be legally registered >> okay cool [clears throat] This I presume this is exactly the same as something changes
>> with some minor changes. I had done uh >> so this is changed from >> right. So what this one is is um I did not have uh I did not have um NY's red line. So there's a few more changes. So
I changed from from the email um then we then we tweaked it uh tweaked it a little more. So um you know the hope was able to present to the the selectment tonight so they could approve the posting. >> Um you should get a email from me saying
what what changes that I was put on the paper that that I left which was the title. Oh yeah, that was a couple days ago. >> Yeah, >> Friday or something. >> Yeah. Um it was right because I did it Thursday. I was on book and I did it
Thursday. >> Uh two things um if I could get squared away before we move forward with it. One um we should have salary. Two [clears throat] I just automatically put 40 hours. Um, if you want to keep 40
hours, keep 40 hours or 35. >> 35. So, >> I think it's fair to put 40 minutes because there will be times meetings. So,
Exactly. >> Eric, you okay with 40? >> Uh, I'm sorry. You okay? 40 hours? >> Oh, yeah. I'm fine with that. Sure. >> Um, okay. So, let's discuss salary then. Um,
have you done any research into it? >> Research it's it's all over the place. Someone said, as I said, 96 Oh, here we go. >> 24. is 100. >> Oh my goodness. >> Berkeley.
>> Yeah. >> Uh Berkeley is at 675 with 32 hours. And then Halifax is is about uh is about the same as well. So I wanted to get the towns that were that were closest to us. It's kind of funny. Some of the towns
don't have a principal assess of the paper line on on the >> the board does the actual >> right. Yeah. for sure, >> right? Behold was was >> So, first thing I looked at, you said, right?
>> Yeah. >> Berkeley is 67. >> It might not be. This is people that >> Yeah. I just got it from the town administrator Tuesday that 32 hours 67,500 is their
work. I would suggest that Berkeley is probably closest to us in terms they're similar in size and I mean we could if you um that's why them so they are 32 hours we
could raise it out to 40 Oh, free town is right. Yeah, free town. I think I as I was going through it on both have a principal necessity. Lakeville is similar.
uh Lakeville they they rely on their necessity. So they're like >> Yeah. So they have administrator. >> Another full time a full-time principal assessor so to speak.
It could be that they use a consultant like Rich to work with the board. So we don't we don't see that. >> Some of these people have paid pretty well. Um, yeah. >> What about
>> I'm just thinking of the people I met at the meeting, >> right? This is this is I think everyone that >> on the MAO that actually sent the information in because they wanted they did a >> study 24 I looked at I don't remember but I think
it's not comparable system assessor if I remember correctly their assessor was 110 something >> did you mention So what I try to do is try to get as
accurate as as I could. So I got the assessor's name when salary. So [clears throat] There 64. >> [clears throat] >> So I just have a quick question on this.
Um just a u I was just doing some quick math. So that uh um Berkeley is at 80% of 32 hours 40 hours. So if we do if we prorrate it their
salary would be 81,000. So that's >> for 40 hours. >> Yes. So a quick question education experience bachelor's degree or five years >> let's not let's not go I want to talk to
that but it's salary salary um may I suggest I I don't like salary at all insists I I don't want to put a salary at all but insists so how about
3G. >> I think that's probably about right. >> But you got a larger. >> When did you start school? you know when you started >> I think I started >> she's also a licensed realtor and that was a plus she so I think you got to
have on the higher end of the spectrum somebody qualify that it's got that so you got to be around anyway >> that's why I said be okay with 70 to 80
>> I said not okay with that first year with >> if if I made a suggestion. So this is right. So this is a price range. Gives people an idea. You find a candidate that you really like and you want to go a little higher than than 80 like 82. Um
you know obviously we'll look at the budget. Uh and and have that discussion, but you could you could do that. So we're not stuck at 80. think somebody's really qualified and we want to make >> I'm presuming as far as budget goes, you know, we could go as high as 8.
>> Yeah, that would be the absolute upper limit. >> But we're not stuck. You say 70 to 80 and we end up at 83, >> right? >> We're not stuck at capp at 80, right? So make a good decision. We'll put 80 sounds fair to start. >> What was the number you mentioned? I
thought you mentioned something rich. Was it 80 to 85? uh 80 to right 80 to 85 that was go based on a little lower than I just put that out there.
So 70 80 or 75 85. >> I mean 70 to 80 gives us an opportunity to pick up maybe somebody like or something like that will change. >> Yeah. Okay. I'm fine with that.
>> I'm concerned we won't get out. It's that rate. >> 78. >> Yeah. 70. Uh what about 78 to 83? I would do 75 to 85. >> Well, I don't have a problem with that.
>> 70 I don't >> 785. That's fine, too. >> Yeah, >> that's fine, too. >> Yeah. My concern maybe is >> my concern is >> having a higher number up there >> is good. >> Oh, we're trying to attract people. >> My issue is that if you vote down 85, I'
i've applied for jobs as well. when you see a range. >> Yeah. So, but they don't get [clears throat] >> So, all right. Um I can limit 70 to 85. >> Okay. >> I have a motion. >> Uh Mr. Chairman, I move that we uh list
the salary range of 75 to >> no >> 70. Say again. >> 70 to 85. >> Okay. So, Mr. Chairman, I move that we uh
list in the uh posting for principal assessor salary range of 70 to $85,000. >> Second that motion second discussion hearing none. All in favor. >> Now [snorts] to your point or I I'd like
to address the same issue. Um, I looked at this job posting and I saw this and I didn't object to it because it says and five years of [snorts] experience. >> So I do not believe that [clears throat]
experience. So if let's say somebody has 10 years experience in an assessor's office, does that qualify as personal appraisal? I just want to be sure that that's I'm okay with that. >> Somebody's work been working in an appraiser's [snorts] office for 5 years. an assessor's office in 10 years, then
you're going to consider that the five plus years. Okay. >> Um I I'm a strong believer in that you don't exclude people for not having a degree, >> right? >> You know, if they can do the job,
>> 100%. I just didn't want them to think they needed to be a licensed realtor or an appraiser, like a licensed appraiser, like a licensed real estate appraiser. I didn't want them to get caught up on that, right? >> Saying, "Oh, I'm not a licensed appraiser. I can't do it. I've only got six years in an assessor's office, so I can't [clears throat] go.
>> I need to be clear on that. You know, when people contact, >> we're considering that working in office with experience as personal property. >> Correct. Or you could have or you could have just graduated last week from bachelor's degree, right?
Yeah. Okay. Perfect. >> But they show us whoever we hire has got to have completed the 101 and 200. >> Those are the courses. They haven't done that. I >> Yeah. >> The 101 have a year.
>> Yeah. I think they have time to get that done, don't they? >> Yeah. >> But there are two that they have to do like we did one. Yeah, >> we have now that if you're the assistant has to have the 101 and the 200. >> Okay. >> So, that was I don't think I don't know
if that was ever a thing having to have the 200. >> So, in the qualific you you leave it as is. You want to leave it as is because you going into it you have to have 101 and 200
year. So I don't >> I think you'd want to give the year. >> Well, if you want if there was someone that applied right out of school, they're not going to have those. So >> and worst case scenario, we say you completed immediately. The courses are
not that hard. It can become 101. >> The 101 you can do in time 200. It's certain times of the year they have. So they might not be able to get right. >> Oh, so that's [clears throat] not one of the ones that >> No, no, no. That's >> 101 is is the Yeah. What I don't want to happen is if
somebody reads that, they say, "Well, I didn't take the 101 and 200." And they say, "I need it. I'm out. I'm applying." >> So maybe we say within a year on that, >> well, with the exception of two modules, there are two modules. You don't have a year
because you got to be ready for the setting the tax rate in the fall. >> But that's the tax rate are you guys that had to get through it. that this person is going to be >> I know but I'm saying that you still have a year I think to
>> can we be flexible and simply say 6 months or something completion of mass 200 >> I mean six months within six months of within >> within
>> six months multiple. >> Well, okay, that's 101, but you can't do that to 200 because as you said, those courses, it's not like us sitting at home doing a >> maybe maybe you should just see what kind of applicant you get and see what they have and then tweak it. >> Yeah, that's fine.
>> No, I mean this does give you flexibility and I I just want to remind more if from my perspective um we want someone who's who's coming into the position who's good to go, who's ready to go, right? who doesn't need 101 200
and pre positioning them as good as well as anyone. So, >> so I think within six months who who knows you may have someone who's did their 101 and is working on it is in the process of completing their 200. So, it's not and then you'll know right
away. I know Bill you're you're on the selection process. So when we go through the resumes hopefully we'll get three or four res right three or four resumes that already people who are >> you know kind of looking [clears throat] at either
>> either principal assessors who want to move over or assistant assessors in other accounts they have most everything and just need the opportunity >> right that's that's right that's what we want >> okay that's all right so you're okay with that okay with that >> but I put within six months of That's
okay. Okay. >> Any other concerns there? >> No, that was it. >> Anything else to add or did you want to speak to this? >> No, I I shouldn't say so quickly. No, again, um it's an important position.
>> It's part of our financial team. Um you know, we're looking for quality person. I think 70 to 85 is a good range. Um you know, it I'm kind of we may not get someone who's already
a principal assessor, but if we get a good assistant step up, I mean, that's a that'll be a plus. >> Absolutely. >> You know, we'll make sure that I'm already making $70,000. Why start always like to put in a good
team player, great team player along those lines, but that's not necessary, but it's important. >> Um, the most of the team player. [laughter] >> We're all talking most >> I think most importantly Steph have you read this?
>> No. >> Do you have any thoughts? Accurate results. >> Stephanie, I got a question. When when um when you first came here the first time
>> um did you have 101 already or is this something you did while you got hired and then you did that? >> Yeah, I did the 101 >> before coming here. >> No. >> All right. So when you're employed here, >> then you went to Sunset. >> Did you attend any of the 200 training classes?
>> I had I already started taking classes when I was here. >> Yeah. I wanted that was my thing. I got in I wanted to move up. I wanted to learn whatever I could. Okay. >> So, I'd already taken a few classes. >> So, when you went to Somerset, was that uh let's call it a step up?
>> No, it was full-time. >> No, I mean, was it comparable or better than what you more than you were doing in Don when you first came >> responsibility wise? >> Um, a little bit >> a little bit more I I got into more. And then you did you continued study si
sword and then you came here. So when you came here and were hired >> can you think of anything in your initial period you know reaclimating and figuring out and now I'm responsible the office. Is there anything you can think
of that you would say to us? When I came here, there was this and if there's somebody coming in maybe I'm just un >> like what something unexpected. Is that what you're saying? >> Or or something that coming into the office that
>> um >> could be done >> needed to be done needed improvement. Um >> um I mean it's not the kind of things that we would have picked up or I would have picked up being in the office to see Carol, right? What about something? Um,
>> well, I know that we're working on permit link building, but we used to used to everything was >> on paper, >> right? >> There was nothing no database or anything. So, now with that, >> um, we're looking to >> to to really get everyone in all
departments using it. That way, we're all on the same page. That will be good for >> permanent link. >> Yeah, permanent. Best thing ever. >> Yeah. >> Best thing ever. I'm surprised we should get that. So we're not So the assessor's office we have Jim set us up with an email to receive because they're
supposed to they start in the building department and then they task someone. >> You can track all the tasks. >> You send tasks to people. >> You know who's done and who's not. It's the best thing ever. >> And we don't have access to that yet. We only had the email [clears throat] set up but we were never taken further. Even
though I was constantly like >> we're going to do this because now >> should be up and running for that. That would be beneficial because you know we're supposed to check the owner information. >> Yeah. >> Map and lock and then it goes to the
collector but that it's not it's kind of getting miss. Yes. >> It's incredibly efficient. >> So we only um check that information when we get the paper copy that comes to us. >> Yeah. That they're on that route. Right. Permanent link is up and running right now for us. >> We have permanent link but we don't
we're not we're not maximizing its potential. So >> So that was where we were supposed to have meetings. >> Yeah. So we're we're having a meeting on it. That's what it's so efficient. >> I I permanentize it. I I I agree with you. >> Yeah, it's very efficient and people will resist because they like things
done, but >> I think we're already past that. It's already in a couple of offices already. So >> I would totally agree. >> And I know our our new uh our new building >> that will be by the way that'll be nice for somebody coming in that one of the questions probably be Yeah. Permanently
>> familiarity with permanent link. So So put that on it. Yeah, they can quick if if they're smart enough to put >> I wouldn't put it as that, but they're going to want to know that probably cuz most often >> I'm sure that would be a question.
>> I mean, you can ask them during the >> Well, you also don't want it so detailed that they aren't going to ask you questions. You want them to ask >> back and forth. Exactly. >> So, all right. That's good. I'm fine with >> I don't think there's many places that have districts. So districts can be
confusing because whatever we do once with billing and tax rates, we do three more times. So that is I mean I'm trying to really have details. I have like details with screenshot and and I tweak
it every time I have to go through a process. So I do have things in place for different situations like billing. Well, I mean, they they're really pretty good the building radar with, you know, how what to do and they sit on the phone with you while you're doing it if you
have any questions. So, they're they're they're pretty good with that. >> Do you want to add something of familiarity with TIFF and pilot agreements? >> We have not. >> No, we do assist well assisting
development pilot agreements. Yeah. >> Okay. Can [clears throat] we have a motion to approve this? >> Well, before you do, >> I just want to I just want to make sure I I have I have everything down because
I want to bring it to the select because we want to get this rolling. Absolutely. >> Um the hourly hour um salary 70 to $85,000. You made some correct minor changes and the only other change that I reported
was completion of the 101 and 200 within 6 months of appointment. Anything else? Let me have a motion to highlight agree with yeah I was trying to say this in all honesty
but I was not an assessor. I did this as a selectment. This belongs in assessor's office and I think the principal assessor should quite frankly take it on. The boilerplate agreement is
perfect. You don't have to amend it. All you do is fill in the blanks. >> But I'm I'm even when I wasn't, what do we say in office officially, I'm still doing these things. And this is something that uh it really I think >> So you just want to get rid of what?
>> So we just put change it to develop pilot and tip agreements as necessary. You see that? Yes. >> Yeah. I'm looking at it right. That's why >> if how about um
>> you tell me >> negotiate I won't take agreements which means obviously the assessor's office that person will take the lead but again the form is there all you do is fill in the blanks >> so we'll need to negotiate pilot
agreements when necessary >> yeah okay because we don't have any open at the present time. >> Okay, Mr. Chairman, I move that we approve the job posting and job description
for the principal. Excuse me, miss over. Mr. Chairman, I move that we notify the bullet of selectment u that we have approved the job description and posting notice for the position of principal
assessment. >> Second that motion seconded discussion discussion. >> Did you say pass amended? >> Well, he's going to by the time they get it, it won't be [clears throat] amended because he's going to give them what
we've done. >> Yeah. >> Okay. And this is really a draft. So what he's going to put together is the the real thing. >> Okay. >> All in favor? >> I [clears throat] get dismissed. >> Thank you, sir.
On the press. >> Hey guys, I just wanted to tell you Hey, Ralph, you may I think you may know this. nuts. >> Um, I told you guys about um [snorts] the grief we were getting from Grass Grasshopper about not paying the three a
quarter of the taxes and I sent out this lengthy letter. The check came in. >> Oh, good. >> Nothing with it. >> We don't care. We just left the check. >> We don't care. Catch it. >> It was uh No, it wasn't cash because I got this photo from the treasure
collector. But it was 13,71625 and the whole premise was uh from some dingdad who was not a body to the agreement. Um we didn't we didn't hook up with national grid until September and it says that they won't get build until we hook up and therefore we don't
have to pay for July, August and September of the first year. We got it. That ought to end it. All right. So, we got public input. >> Public input response.
>> Um, I guess that many [clears throat] off. So, I wanted to just I don't know. It's something. Oh, so yesterday at the stomach meeting, um
Jim Mbat, the man who is the contractor engineer for this whole project, came to Som because um they need permission to install two
catch basins into an existing line uh part of which belongs to the town. So they came to us and and so we tenatively approved it um based on Tommy's recommendation and the discussion. Um but
they he explained this this open house they don't have a tent so if it rains they can have it. It's open to the public. They want to explain what they want to do. The other thing they're going they came to us about was they're going to build a parking lot in part of that park that's right across the street. Mhm.
>> Most of it will remain the park, but they're going to eliminate those that angular parking because they're dangerous. >> So, employees and people like that will park in the new parking lot and they're going to make a section of those angular
parking lots parallel and there'll be handicap parking. So, that's what he was talking to us about. But, um >> he wants to save the clock tower, too. >> Oh, yeah. They're going to fix it. You said they hate the clock down back to the future. >> Yeah. Yeah.
>> Anyway, so okay, cool. >> This is a positive thing, I think. >> Yeah. Yeah, I do. I absolutely agree. I've heard Lenny has gotten some criticism. >> I think he's on the right track. >> Okay. >> Um, so the only other thing is um I have
>> No, I have a ton for Nancy. I will have them up to date before I go. >> Okay. >> Okay. I was just I just came back yesterday. >> We'll have one more meeting with you. >> I don't think so, but they'll all be handed out before
>> the six will be my last. >> I told you, man. >> You just said the next one was today. >> No, I sent it to you. I took a picture. I got onto my email. No, >> I put them in. >> No, it doesn't matter. Doesn't matter. It's It is
>> I can tell you >> 12th. >> Would we like to reschedu that the so that we could >> Well, usually I send them to Nancy. Nancy goes through them. August
>> we fix things and then they get sent to you guys. >> So she usually has >> I'm simply making do we want to have one more meeting with Stephanie or >> I think I'm around on the fifth. So if you guys want to do that I'm fine with
that. I think we should go to the island one. >> Yeah, we should. >> Yeah. >> Hey, listen. You don't have to convince me to go anytime. >> I'm up there for six weeks in the fall.
>> Nice. >> Yes. You know the >> So, do we do we want to have a meeting with her or do we want to have we may or may not have someone 12. >> Well,
I'm I get it open. >> Yeah. >> So, 9:00 on >> 9:00 >> and I just I double check with Lean when I get back. >> If you get any of those minutes now, send them to me because if I get them all at one time, [clears throat] make a
>> Yeah. And this is um the agreement signed by Ralph and I witnessed for Sans Susi the >> oh the contract >> to um represent us. >> Yeah. >> Um >> we still haven't come up with a lawyer.
Um uh the last email I sent to uh heard from Matt Costa was I will get some names to get back to and um I haven't heard back to the the person that uh Ralph recommended um wrote back that
he's not accepting any new clients and his physical address is out in Vermont. So I don't know if he's so retired. I don't know. Does there need to be more signage? Um, probably not. Right.
>> Okay. >> You want to look at it all? >> Nope. I'm good. >> So, that anticipated do we have do we have to date with because they were going to try to get it on a different date with >> I think they were leaving it like for me
or us to figure out what the date for the ATB. But I sent it to Ralph and Matt Costa and Matt Sans Susie because I was going away to say we need to figure out because Sans Susie said they need
can't do it till 27. They need time for this and that. So I I don't know. I don't see anything new in my email from anyone. >> Okay. So right now we don't have a date, >> right? But the but it's coming up quick. I think the August date.
>> It's like right around the corner, I think. >> But I thought they were going to write Net Change, >> but they were going to >> That was the second time, >> right? But I thought they were going to do it again because >> I thought so, too. But I figured it would be Matt Costa doing the continuence or whatever because we
don't need that other person, the lawyer, that's going to be representing us to to just do a continuence. That's >> great. I I'll send an email to Matt Costa and ask about lawyers. You got your names
and uh date extension for ATV. >> See what we can get. >> Okay. Anything else? >> A motion to >> So moved. Second. Second. >> All in favor?
>> I have a good day everybody.