TOWN OF SOMERS

BOARD OF ASSESSORS

REGULAR MEETING

THURSDAY, MARCH 6, 2008

6:00 P.M.

ASSESSOR’S OFFICE

MINUTES

1. CALL TO ORDER

Bob Loubier, Co-Chairman called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. in the Assessor’s office, 600 Main Street, Somers, CT. Also present were David Olsen, Co-Chairman, Joanna Wheeler, member, Greg Simmons, CFO, and Patricia J. Juda, Assessor.

2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING OF DECEMBER 6, 2007.

Dave made a motion to approve the minutes of the December 6, 2007 meeting. This motion was seconded by Joanna and unanimously approved.

3. CORRESPONDENCE

There was no correspondence.

4. ASSESSOR’S OFFICE REPORT

• The 2007 Grand List was filed on January 31, 2008 with Somers’ Town Clerk. The Grand List grew 1.705% over the 2006 Grand List. 92% of the increase can be attributed to new real estate construction.

• 188 personal property increase notices and 334 real estate increase notices were mailed February 6, 2008.

• The Board of Assessment Appeals is scheduled to meet on March 13, 2008. There are 8 scheduled appeals.

• December & January sales ratio forms were mailed to the OPM on February 7, 2008. February sales ratio forms were mailed to OPM on March 3, 2008.

The median sales ratio for December was .50, for January .52 and for February .55.

• Property transfers are current to date.

• M-37 – State owned property report due April 1 was mailed March 5, 2008.

• Due to increased costs associated with the rising prices of utilities and fuel, on 2/13/08 a mandatory freeze was placed on all discretionary spending until April 15. All departments were required to immediately centralize all unopened inventories of supplies.

• 1/30/08 I requested permission from the Connecticut State Library to dispose of certain public records. This request was approved on 2/11/08. The next step is to have maintenance collect these records and then destroy them.

• 1/25/08 I presented a proposed budget to Greg Simmons, CFO. The budget minus revaluation was actually lower than last year due to a small town discount offered by Total Valuation Services on our software maintenance.

I did request the line item for clerical assistant be reduced by $1,500.00 and a new line item be created for contractual field inspector in the amount of $1,500.00.

Also requested was $80,000 for the first year of the 2009 Revaluation project. I anticipate about 2/3 of the expense will be incurred in FY 2008-2009.

• I am currently working on organizing all Farm, Forest & Open Space certificates and creating a list of all accounts that would be subject to a penalty if sold or developed. Once created, maintenance of an annual updated list is simple. This will greatly assist the Town Clerk in identifying penalty accounts prior to the filing of a deed.

Bob made a motion to accept the Assessor’s report as one of progress. The motion was seconded by Joanna and unanimously approved.

5. 2009 REVALUATION

Pat reported several companies have expressed an interest in bidding on Somers’ 2009 Revaluation and expects to have an RPF ready for review by the end of March.

Bob Loubier made the suggestion to have several options included in the RFP such as updated photos and an independent appraisal for the prison property.

Joanna made a motion to accept the revaluation report. The motion was seconded by Dave and unanimously approved.

6. BILLS TO BE PAID

The following bills were approved for payment:

HAAA Membership Dues $20.00

Quality Data Services Balance of Maintenance $950.00

Joanna made a motion to accept the above payments as informational. The motion was seconded by Dave and unanimously approved.

7. OLD BUSINESS – No discussion.

8. NEW BUSINESS – No discussion.

9. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION – No audience participation.

10. ADJOURNMENT

Dave made a motion to adjourn at 6:40 p.m. This motion was seconded by Joanna and unanimously approved.

Patricia J. Juda Robert E. Loubier

Secretary Co-Chairman