Good morning. I call to order the town of Dyon Board of Assessors regular meeting at November 5th, 2025. The time is 9:35. Like to mention that this is a public meeting being video and audio recorded for cable broadcast and internet posting
on www.dyon-ma.gov and YouTube. At this ask people to 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. >> Attendance, >> I'm not here. >> Nancy and Eric are all at least physically present. Um, old business
discuss the article submitted for town meeting. I requested that Stephanie put this on the agenda uh because I saw uh in the warrant have an article >> copies of it. They already and I
actually went back in our meeting and they approved it in on the >> I was not here. Well, see that makes sense then. Okay. Um, >> yeah, it was >> I'm just gonna take it out of your
>> Oh, that's fine. >> Okay. Well, if that's the case, then it's a moot point. I thought we had not uh discussed it. >> Yeah, I when we talked off hand, I couldn't remember off. >> Okay. >> So, >> so I just read I looked at my notes and
I just rewatched. >> Do we need to redis anything that's concerning for you? I was concerned that we had not >> we had to discuss it right I got you >> but if you two discussed it without me then it's a new point and never mind >> and we did >> and they voted >> are you going to make the motion uh bill
at town meeting >> um we have another thing to discuss about that area >> yeah there has to be a report well >> I thought I saw that on the agenda >> there was an email >> there was just an email well sure let's
discuss it now then um I will be attending. Um, I don't have a report, so to speak. Do you have for me to read? >> Uh, I can write something up quickly. >> Um, and I will gladly read it if you would like. >> Okay. >> That usually goes in the book, right?
>> Yes. >> Also, >> well, we we usually do that at the annual town meeting, right? >> Well, actually, every town meeting, they ask if there were any department or board reports. And um so the board of assesses at least since
I've been on the board we usually have something you know just brief the annual town meeting is a little longer as far as but um yeah I'll write something up and excuse me uh I'll make sure the town clerk gets a copy and you'll have one.
Okay. >> Right. And excuse me. Um, so I can make a motion for this article and um, >> last one of last one on the list. >> Oh, no. Is it really >> pretty quick?
>> I expect it's going to be >> I won't be I'm leaving tomorrow morning. >> I expect it's going to be a very lightly attended meeting. >> Um, because there's nothing of any uh, controversy really on there. Um, although I do have a couple of questions
on things. Um, but I I think I I was in the office the other day talking about >> I I don't understand why we need a new HVAC system on a six-year-old building. >> So, >> which one? >> Which building? >> Police department. >> You need a new HVAC system?
>> $10,000 for a Hback system on the new police department. New police building. >> I I I want to hear something about that. >> It's a great time to ask for that. >> I don't It's a brand new police. It's a pretty much a brand new system. >> We looked that up. It was a six six
years old. >> It's a brand new system. >> I I I I want to hear the answer. >> Okay. >> You think that there would be some kind of um >> warranty on it. >> Yeah, that's what I would think. >> And that should be asked why there isn't. >> I mean, we're still paying for the
original one. We have to paid it off and we're buying a new one. You know, not to deviate too far, >> but one of the criticisms at the elementary school was on that last edition we put on that we just took over a million dollars to add those
classrooms. >> And they were talking about how footings are something of this and something is sagging there. And I'm thinking, whatever happened to maintenance? Whatever happened to bringing back the company that installed them if something's happening?
>> Yeah. and and figure out if something if you have a situation like that, especially with mobile classrooms like that, >> they can be jacked up and you can fix >> the footing. Anyway, >> good. Anyhow,
>> moving on. So, um to summarize, Nancy, please something. I will >> Yeah, I will >> read that and I will make the motion. Uh just to be clear, the whole point of this article is to allow seniors who veteran seniors who have put their house
into a trust to still >> not senior disabled veterans. You don't have to be a senior age. >> Okay. >> 20 disabled >> a disabled veteran who has put their house in a trust will still qualify for Yes. >> And we said what that would be like two
people or something like that. That is I know of two people that haven't received it >> because it went into the trust and the trust isn't eligible. So I >> The point is it's not going to open the floodgates. >> No. Okay. >> They still have to qualify like they
would anyway. But >> um motor vehicle abatement year. >> Mr. Mr. Chairman, I move that we approve and sign Moto motor vehicle and trailer excise levy 2025 vehicle abatements in
the amount of $3,8108. >> I second that motion. >> Motion made and seconded. Is there any discussion? >> Hearing none. All in favor? >> I I Mr. Chairman, I move
that we uh approve and sign the LEO 2024 motor vehicle abatements in the amount of $81741. >> I second that motion. >> Motion remains seconded. Any discussion? >> Hearing none. All in favor? I
>> I >> 2023 motor vehicle abatements. >> These are big ones today. >> Mr. Chairman, I move that we approve and sign the lev 2023 motor vehicle abatements in the amount of $123.7.
>> I second that motion. >> Motion made and seconded. Any discussion? Hearing none. All in favor? I. And I am. We have a release and reorder. >> This is um daughter's name has been
added to property. >> This is the only thing that's happening. Is there just adding a dollar? >> Um. Yeah. So, we're releasing the original amount that was recorded. >> Yeah, >> we have um and then that is the recording. It's a different amount
because of a plan. They removed um pieces over some kind of partial release back in 909 cutting these pieces off. So the plan
has actually this amount is what's on it now, not what we released. This is the original. We have to release the original so the numbers match. And then we're recording this number because after this was done,
it was different ac now value changes to what residential it when they this is coming out and going back in. It's just really a name change in the >> Oh, it's not a smaller amount of land. >> It's it's a it's just a little bit
instead of 8.49, it's 8.63. So, the survey >> Oh, I see. >> had a little bit more land on >> So, so we always thought it was 849, but it was really 863, >> right? By the survey that was done. >> Survey, right? I got you.
>> 863. Okay, makes sense. >> Yeah, and that indeed reflects the pieces that would take it off. >> I'm sorry. These numbers don't look great to me because
the original This is the original, right? >> 8.49. And then >> what year is that? >> This is uh 1986. 1989
they released some amount. You're telling me? >> Yeah. That says that was said it's a partial release of which >> Okay. But this is this is a very large amount. This is 26,000 27,000 square
feet. That's 16,000 square feet. You're talking that alone is about an acre. Mhm. >> I'm going to guess that's about an acre. This must be the Is this the original carpet >> or is this another piece they cut out? >> You know what this says? Uh Charles and
Augustine Rodriguez. So, this must be their original because this is owner's the owner's match here. >> This does not. So, this must be the piece that they gave up. In any case, let's say it's at least an acre.
>> Okay? >> And I understand that you you can survey and get some difference, >> but now they're putting in 8.63. They're putting in more than the original amount. >> And an acre was taken out. Those numbers
don't math to me. >> When was the acre taken out? >> The year was it went in in ' 86 >> at 8.43. >> At 8.4 for >> whatever. 849 >> 8.49. Okay. >> Then they did a partial release and from
that math it looks to me to be at least an acre if not two acres. >> All right. So it's minus an acre. So you got seven more. >> So you have seven and change that. Then the survey was done and they found that oh there was a little bit more than they thought. >> Right. So
>> an acre is not a little bit more because it's more that they're putting in. probably more research on it. This supposed to be something simple and I I brought more paperwork because I know you like to do research and >> so if if they took an acre out well then
they had it redone and so they found an extra acre in it >> with the but I can't say for sure that that's >> with the new survey >> but I don't >> um I'm familiar with this property. This was part of the land taking and
easements we did when we had to reconstruct Miller's Lane. As I told you way back in the beginning had you got to go through Somerset and Swansea to get to Miller's Lane when they built Anderson Drive. They connected it up. There was no land taking in easements. They ran it right
through these this private property. In order to do this, reconstruct it, we had uh John Deleno and associates survey the whole area >> so we could determine
how much the town actually owned, needed, whatever. >> This one's complicated. Um I would say check with Tommy to find out if he's got the Deleno things, but this
this is complicated. All right. So, um I mean everything we did with those property owners was okay, >> but when initially we started it was a nightmare. >> So, well, what's the >> what's the address?
>> Um it is I think it's just zero. >> It does say >> map 22 lot 22 lane zero. >> The other thing is they're like four or five
apostles all included in this thing. All under the similar name shows different measurements and different names throughout. >> This is only a partial release of
formentioned recreational tax lane and does not constitute a release of all the land. See if I can locate it. >> So then if the survey is right, >> I'd have to say they've only been claiming. So >> well, they're close to what they were
claiming before. They minus out an acre 749. They found an extra acre and a quarter almost. >> I mean, this is based off something from 89. >> Tommy, you will have the plans for that whole project and and it'll show all of these included this property here.
>> Yes. >> See this property right here? >> That was also uh part of our project. See, because here's Anderson Drive. >> Yeah. It's we had quite a time but I I would say
the most recent survey would have been the one that John Deleno did when we reconstructed Mill >> for the town but the private property owner had a survey done if I'm am I following this right they had a survey done and they said and that survey come back at 863
>> as as of like what this year last year >> this is this is from 1989 >> that's the most recent survey from the private survey >> I was just bringing showing that >> yeah the history I got you >> that that was that and that this was this and this is what it was supposed to be
>> back in >> so >> this time >> they only a little bit and should have been this high >> yeah I'm just trying to say so they could have been getting more >> property if they actually had more than they would thought they did you know if they thought I had 10 acres but I really
had 11 >> so this lot here this weird shape >> it's in the assessor's data base as 8.63 acres. Okay, >> it is okay. >> Measure it out. I'm sloppy. It's 7.
>> So, it's a full acre off. >> So, I >> So, in our record, well, who puts our records together that you're pulling that from our >> our mapping comes from our mapping. >> And kind of my point is putting in 8.63
63 acres into chapter and it's only 7.3 acres. You're actually putting in more in chapter than >> Yeah. No, no. I I understand that part. But what I'm saying is >> we plug into the system how much acreage
that is. So that's why it says it's 7 whatever. We we've been putting the wrong data in. We might have a more updated survey that I just >> I would say the survey you have to look at is the one done by John Deleno and Associates when we were getting ready to reconstruct that because as I told you
when we looked at it um who Milis Lane reconstruction was the most expensive land taking easement projects the best of my knowledge this town has had.
All of the correct property ownership D would have been recorded at the registry when they did all the survey >> and I can access this stuff. >> Yes. >> Yes.
>> Tommy will also have paper plans. >> Okay. >> And it'll give you data like that right there. >> Yeah. >> So actually >> so that might be conflicting to this if I understand that correctly. Right. In fairness, this um plan, it's noted. It says
376,000 square ft. It's only 317. So, the plan is wrong. >> Okay. >> It's not our fault. It's It's not your fault. It's uh >> What's the date of that plan? >> Uh I think what you're saying, it looks like
>> it may have been correct at the time. What I'm saying is we have something better. >> Yeah, we have something new. I'll look into it. >> Yeah. Okay. >> And if it was 863 in 1989 and now it's 7 something,
>> that would make sense because we took land >> from it, right? >> Where did we take land >> when we reconstructed Miller's Lane? >> So, you think like along the front maybe or so? Because it's got Miller's Lane here. Um, I believe we took we to I know
we got I know we paid here. I know we paid both sides of the road. >> No, like I say, there's real plans. >> All right. So, there's a property change, right? Property ownership change is what you're saying. >> Adding a daughter. It's the same people. They just adding >> pull it out to put it back in. Add a
daughter. >> And we're going based on old records, but those might be inaccurate. So we're hands in to >> they have they're in chapter so yearly they hand >> yeah they just hand and they're going by what has always historically been there right so there's >> nothing nefarious going on here we just
exactly the right stuff >> no that's fine the old plan obviously doesn't reflect what is on file the registry >> right so >> simple enough mistake right so let's just >> yeah I will go I will >> get a motion to table this thing
>> motion to table uh Action on map 22 lot 220 Millislane. >> I second that motion been seconded. Any discussion? No discussion. Sorry. All in favor? Hi. >> Hi. >> Hi. >> So, if they get in touch with you, just
tell them we've got to check the records against the last survey when the town actually took land and paid them for it. >> A more recent survey. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Um, >> so this is again something that I asked
get put on the agenda. >> I understand all of you have uh everyone here has reviewed the overlay um amount which was >> was that thing I sent everyone. >> Yes. >> This what we're talking about.
>> Yep. >> Yeah. That's the three you wanted to know what people around have in their overlay. >> Do we have Where's ours? on here. >> Yeah. >> Okay. So, page two, this one >> you had already looked at and basically
gave a thumbs up discussion about >> that was the email I sent that had the chart >> veterans added. Yep. >> Yep. So, we had some questions about it. Yep. >> And yes, we lost >> but we we ended up agreeing. >> Yeah, I got you. on the back is the the little chart on the back of that one
page right here upstairs. Keep going. There you go. Well, actually, it's this one. This is the one that I used to get my numbers for. >> Okay. >> All right. >> So, I don't question the $180,000. I'm
sure that's >> actually it's the 207 is what that is just in there cuz we have not decided that is what it would have been. >> Oh, that's right. You said I remember you saying >> so we didn't we haven't >> it's going to be 207. >> So it's going to be this number that's there
>> 207 378. Okay. All right. So, um, $27,000 is what we anticipate in giving out abatements and >> exemptions, etc., etc. >> But the thing I question, and that's
fine. The thing I questioned was >> he's back on this page now. >> Top line where it says overlay balance. And you may recall that some months ago I I brought up a question about
and how forgot what it was, but uh >> how they explained it. >> Mayor uh Okonnell had said, you know, wanted to do something. I don't even remember what the thing was. Uh but they were wondering where the money was going to come from and then suddenly it came from the assessor's office. The
assessors was like, "Oh, it's just in our overlay fund. And I said, and at the time I asked, is there such a thing like a bank account for the overlay where money accumulates? And at the time we had said, no, there's no such thing. So then I saw this and it
says overlay balance $457,000. I'm like, well, that sounds like a bank account to me. That sounds like we have money sitting in a pile. So we called in Serena and she had agreed. Actually, she was a
little she had to think about it, you know, it wasn't like on the top of her head. She had to think about it. And >> it does appear that there is $457,000 earmarked for us to have for overlay and
u for exemptions. So, I then asked Stephanie to please, you know, consult with our peer towns because it seems like, you know, you we probably should have some number in there. >> Yeah. um because you know for year to year we just don't know fluctuations or
whatever but I wondered you know what is an appropriate amount um you know I I would think like for me one year I would think if you had one so if it's 27,000 we should have 414 in there you know
that that's would be my feeling um total you mean like total I mean in other words 207 in reserve Plus the >> the one year you're going to give out. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> Yeah. So it would like >> go up to 400 and come down to 200. Go up
to 400 something. >> You always got like Yeah. >> So you got a cushion. >> Yeah. >> But not a big pile of uh >> cash, >> right? Um so >> what is the results? I see obviously Eastston has a lot of money.
>> Yep. So Eastston they're >> However, they're they're budgeting 500. So they're like two times a year's value. Okay. >> Now Somerset since they won against Brighton, >> she hasn't been raising because she's
got a lot of money in there. >> So she said in ' 05. So up here >> she would have that >> 1.2 million, >> right? >> So I don't think she is raising she's just bringing that down because there's you can only use it. That's the only
thing used for correct. >> Um, and then CCON, she said they have like 950. >> Do you know what they're doing? >> And I think they're kind they're probably close closer to this, I think, what they're doing for abatements. And she says she has a couple of ATP cases.
So that's save in case you go to tax and they win, you still have money to be able to pay those. So it sounds to me like the other towns roughly, you know, just easy say a
simple numbers, it looks like they have about two years worth of >> way. Yeah. >> In in the balance to begin with. So it goes so my example when you give away a year, you got a year >> 46 >> and then you gain a year and then you give a year. Right. So yeah.
>> Right. So, how does that compare with I think it's probably almost exactly where we are. So, we're a little bit high. Not much. Say $50,000.
>> I really can't with the power plant. I I our case hasn't even I mean, they're not supplying the information. Our case hasn't even been looked at yet, as far as I know, because I haven't heard anything. the um ATV has a year to look at it. So, >> did did the
>> They're like backed up. >> Did the owners respond to the last correspondent? They're just ignoring us. >> Yeah. I didn't even get anything from Mike. Usually, >> uh we're in open session. >> I'm not saying anything. I'm just saying I usually >> But don't respond. Don't
>> Okay. >> Um >> So, where you're going with this though? >> Well, where I was going with this is I want to turn the money back to the town. Um, but >> seeing as the other towns are I mean >> have a one-year buffer. Basically, they have a one-year buffer.
>> They have a 2-year buffer. >> Well, until they give it away, then they got one buffer. No, no, >> they don't give it away. They just >> Oh, they don't. >> But but actually, Somerset is doing exactly what I would I would advocate for, which is she says, "I've got enough money in the account. I'm not going to
ask for any money this year." >> Because they want a settlement 1.2 million or as an >> Right. I got you. >> So, >> Somerset is a So, then we can use them as an example because they had a >> No, we can No, but we can use them as an example of what you do when you have too
much money in this account, >> which is you don't take the money from the town. You allow the town to spend money. >> See what I'm saying? Right now, we're we're asking for $200,000. So, there's a there's a piece of taxes that are being
taken out and put aside that the government can't use. the town can't use that money because we have that money, >> right? >> And we're having that money in order to pay for exemptions and statements and all that kind of stuff, right? >> And it becomes an account that acrews over time,
>> right? >> Which I believe Serena had said something like this is only like one of two accounts. It's like this and the plowing, I think. >> Yeah, I removes that can sit and accumulate. I I thought it closed out to put cash at the end of the year. It does not.
>> It just sits in this account and builds. So where am I going with this? >> Each year it keeps climbing. >> Each year it keeps climbing as long as we are as long as we have budgeted more than we actually spend. >> Okay. No, snow and ice does not accumulate money. Snow and ice is
budgeted at 50 grand. And the reason we don't go higher is because it locks that money in. So snow and ice we have under the law. We're allowed to overexpend it which we get we have to come up with that money. this particular case this
has got money in it that can't be spent anything else right yeah >> so what could be done if that if this fund becomes too high >> um like I like I was questioning >> what we could do is decide we're not
going to take money this year and just drain it down until it gets to a reasonable level but based on what other towns are doing about a 2x that only puts us at like $50,000. It's probably not worth the trouble. And Stephanie's
concerned about potential. >> We've got an unknown. >> We've got an unknown, >> right? Which makes sense. >> What I'm the the long- winded answer on this is I hope we now understand this. >> Yeah. >> And come next year, we'll look at it and see where we're at.
>> And if we are significantly over two times, 2x, I would suggest that we would reduce our request by that overage. next year. I think this year we probably should leave it alone unless you >> How much would that be per household?
>> Per whatever $2,000 is nothing. >> No, no, 50 is not. What if it's 200? >> No, it's it's pennies. >> Pennies, dollars, not I would say. So, it's like 2,000 >> on a a I'm talking about the budget impact. >> Yeah, the budget impact. >> Budget impact is minimal.
>> Um I agree. We should do go with this this year >> and look at it next year because again if we still have an unknown next year. >> Yeah, we might still be in the same >> we might still be the same boat but at least we're aware of it and we discuss it
>> openly. So that's that's good catch on that bill. >> Um so I don't think Nice work. >> Do you need a um vote on it? >> I need a vote for the 207. I I want the board to agree with that number to >> Okay. >> Give it to
>> Is that for FY26? The number. >> Mr. Chairman, I move that we vote to approve the uh uh estimated overlay for FY26 at $27,37853. >> I second that motion.
>> Motion made second. Any discussion? Hearing none. All in favor? I >> I Thank you very much. >> Public input. Anything else? That's all for new business. Public input. Uh any correspondence,
minutes? >> No. >> Unanticipated items. All right. I'll entertain a motion to move to executive session. >> So moved. >> Can't do it. >> Nice try.
>> Okay. I make a motion that we uh go into executive session based on general law chapter 30A section 21A7 to comply with or act under the authority of any special law or federal grant in aid requirements. >> Second.
>> Motion seconded. All in favor? I >> I and we will not be returning to open session. So everyone have a good >> See you later.