HomeMy Public PortalAbout20110607 - Board of Assessors - Meeting MinutesTown of Hopkinton
Board of Assessors Minutes of Meeting held June 7, 2011
A regular meeting of the Board of Assessors was held on June 7, 2011 in the first floor
conference room at the Town Hall. A Notice of Meeting was duly posted. The meeting commenced at 5:15 p.m. In attendance were John Duffy, Mary Jo Lafreniere and John Palmer, all the members of the Board. John Duffy presided and John Palmer kept the
minutes. Also in attendance was Robert Bushway, Principal Assessor.
The Board approved the minutes of the meeting held on May 24, 2011. The Board reviewed and signed a Bills Payable Warrant in the amount of $154.07. Mr.
Bushway reported that the balance in the budget for FY 2011 is adequate to cover
anticipated expenses for the remainder of the year.
The Board reviewed and signed the Monthly Report of Abatements & Exemptions, Granted & Withdrawn for May 2011. The total reported was $5,115.46.
The Board reviewed and signed a commitment and warrants for the third Supplemental
Billing of Real Estate Tax and CPA Surcharge for FY 2011. The real estate tax billing is for $6,265.91 and the CPA surcharge is for $110.99.
Mr. Bushway reported that the owner of the building leased by Lonza at 99 South St. has
filed a petition with the Appellate Tax Board challenging the real property assessment for
FY 2011. Mr. Bushway reviewed the assessment and thought it was fair. Mr. Bushway reported on and the Board discussed at length several relatively minor tax
matters. The following decisions were made regarding miscellaneous excise tax
procedures. Farm vehicles owned by unincorporated persons are exempt from excise
taxes, but require submission of exemption applications. Accordingly, the Board voted that farm owners be informed of potential excise taxes and be provided with exemption application forms for completion. No taxes on farm animals are to be levied. No action
is to be taken on possible boat excise taxes pending receipt of registration information
from the State. Motor vehicle dealer plate excises are to be imposed after discussion with
and approval by the Treasurer/Collector. A review was made of the municipal calendar dates between June 1 and July 15, 2011
that pertain to Assessors. Mr. Bushway agreed to consult with the Town of Westborough
concerning the recently released landline telephone property values for FY 2012 to
determine whether any unusual decisions were made that might be appropriate to challenge.
Brief mention was made that the Town has engaged a consultant to attempt to reconcile
cash and receivable balances on the Town’s books. The Assessors’ office is cooperating
with this effort.
The next meeting is scheduled for June 28, 2011 at 5:15 p.m. Mr. Bushway has
conferred with Tax Collector Dwinnell about the planned mailing of the first installment
of FY 2012 tax bills on July 1, 2011. They are confident that the mailing can proceed on
time if the Board signs the appropriate warrants and commitments at the June 28 meeting.
The meeting adjourned at 6:40 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
John Palmer, Clerk