Board of Assessors Meeting

Wednesday, August 30, 2023, 5:15 pm until 7:00 pm
Town Hall Office Meeting Space
A meeting of the Board of Assessors

Meeting of Board of Assessors

Members: (Quorum)

• Present: Lee Whitcomb, Member, at 5:15 PM
• Present: Russell French, Chair, at 5:15 PM
• Present: George Forcier, Member, at 5:15 PM

Also Present:

• Laurie Lucier

See original Agenda Final Minutes

Meeting opened: 5:15 PM

Meeting closed: 6:15 PM

0. Meeting Preliminaries

   • Meeting Opened / Attendance Taken (see above).

   • Minutes Approved: Wed, Aug 2 - Assessors Meeting

1. Review Roy Bishop's work and recommendations

   • General Discussion...
     - Based on sales Roy Bishop recommends a 10% across the board increase on all land and buildings. This should bring up up to 95% of market values.
     - No changes to the Power Plant
     

2. Review new outbuilding depreciation rates and values

   • General Discussion...
     - Pergolas: review and categorize known pergolas.
     - Review outbuilding depreciation tables.

     MOTION, moved by Lee Whitcomb, seconded by George Forcier: to vote on grades of pergolas as a group as discussed.

     Pass: Aye: Russell French, Lee Whitcomb, George Forcier.

     MOTION, moved by George Forcier, seconded by Lee Whitcomb: to set up a 25 year depreciation table for gazebos, pergolas, and generators.

     Pass: Aye: Russell French, Lee Whitcomb, George Forcier.

3. Approve final preliminary values for FY24

   • MOTION, moved by George Forcier, seconded by Russell French: to approve final preliminary values contingent on changes to gazebos, pergolas and generators.

     Pass: Aye: Russell French, Lee Whitcomb, George Forcier.

4. Unanticipated items of concern that arises after posting

   • General Discussion...
     - Spoke with Lauren at DOR - regarding solar roofs: solar shingles are largely metal so the roof is considered a metal roof once installed - regarding generators: it is okay to change the valuation and depreciation schedule; based on capacity and age with a 25 year schedule.
     
     - FY23 Chapter 61A did not calculate properly. Lee will work on a mass list for crediting accounts that were overcharged.
     
     - C.H.: double check abatements approved vs. abatements given. Mail new property card.

     MOTION, moved by Lee Whitcomb, seconded by George Forcier: to move forward speaking with Treasurer regarding any Ch61A overcharges for FY23.

     Pass: Aye: Russell French, Lee Whitcomb, George Forcier.

     MOTION, moved by Lee Whitcomb, seconded by George Forcier: to accept and approve R.P. changes from Ch61B to Ch61A for FY24.

     Pass: Aye: Russell French, Lee Whitcomb, George Forcier.

     MOTION, moved by Lee Whitcomb, seconded by George Forcier: to approve a change in the completion percentage to D.M. property to 70%.

     Pass: Aye: Russell French, Lee Whitcomb, George Forcier.

5. Meeting Wrap-up

   • Next Meetings:
     1. Wed, Sep 6, at 5:15 PM "Assessors Meeting" -- Town Hall Office Meeting Space
     2. Wed, Sep 20, at 5:15 PM "Assessors Meeting" -- Town Hall Office Meeting Space
     3. Wed, Sep 20, at 6:00 PM "Joint Board of Assessors and Selectboard Meeting" -- Town Hall Office Meeting Space

The listing of matters is those reasonably anticipated by the Chair which may be discussed at the meeting. Not all items listed may in fact be discussed and other items not listed may also be brought up for discussion to the extent permitted by law.

Minutes approved on Thursday, Sep 7, 2023