By Liz Page
HARPERSFIELD – Representatives from state Department of Taxation and Finance (DTF) consumed the lion's share of the June 11 meeting of the Harpersfield Town Board as they attempted to explain how real property is assessed and the considerations the town should consider in doing a reassessment. They also heard a report from Headwaters Emergency Medical Services (HEMS) and a report from Supervisor Lisa Driscoll regarding upcoming changes at the shared transfer station.
John Wolham and Zaid Hasan, who serve the Southern Region for the state Office of Real Property Tax Services, explained the reasoning behind assessments and the attempts to keep them fair by using fair market value of new sales each year.
The job of the assessor, said Wolham, is to provide fair assessments by determining the market value of each property, maintaining the property card to keep inventory accurate and up to date, to help taxpayers understand their assessment, process exemptions and maintain the tax rolls on computerized software.
He also explained the purpose of equalization rates and how they can affect the amount each taxpayer pays.
He said reassessing properties provides fairness, transparency, a reduction in litigation, improves bond ratings and revitalization and state aid.
He referred to a number of real property tax laws, which are available on the state Department of Taxation and Finance website.
The town of Harpersfield has not seen a reassessment since 1975 (50 years). One member of the audience questioned the fairness of revaluation of property and one board member said the use of fair market value when people purchase property at values much higher than those existing properties. He argued it inflates the value beyond where local families can afford to purchase or maintain a home. The state is able to provide technical advice for the revaluation and can help the town customize its request for proposals and help educate the public about the process.
Meg Hungerford, treasurer and a member of the board of directors for HEMS was present along with Eileen King, board president and Liz Page, secretary, to provide an update and inform the board they are seeking a 2 percent increase in the town's portions for the 2026 budget season, which is coming up soon. Hungerford hopes to provide monthly reports to the board and said she hopes the contributions from the towns will decrease as the operations and billing becomes more efficient.
Supervisor Lisa Driscoll said she would like to do an audit to go over the amount of money that has come into and gone out of the town prior to HEMS receiving its own certificate of need. Those amounts will be decreasing as HEMS is now operating under its own certificate and money is no longer paid to the towns.
Driscoll also reported the town has received a $30,000 grant toward the purchase of a medium duty truck, but did not receive anything for the town's transfer station. They will work on specifications to go out to bid for the new truck to have the bid opening in July.
The town will be placing new concrete at the transfer station and the lot will be repaved.When that happens, the traffic pattern at the transfer station will change. She said signage will be used to help patrons get used to the new traffic flow.
The town will also do seal coating at the highway department, town hall and post office.
Two people are expected to help over the summer through the county's Youth Program. One will be working at the transfer station and the other at the town clerk's office.
Highway Superintendent Russell Hatch reported there were some roads damaged by the recent flash floods, however, the damage was not extensive. Damaged roads included: Terry Road, Peters Road, Whiskey Hollow Road, Gunhouse Hill Road and Reed Road.
Town Assessor Laurie Bedford reported on Grievance Day. There were owners of five parcels seeking adjustment from the Assessment Review Board. However, they were not changed and involved three commercial properties.
Board members went into an executive session to discuss personnel.
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