By statute the Selectmen are the Town’s assessors and they used to be the ones who went out each spring to assess changes in properties like new buildings and newly subdivided lots. They also needed to review the veteran credits, elderly exemptions and exempt properties, all in addition to their day jobs.

During the 1990’s the Town began to employ the services of a contracted assessor. Now we include a line in our annual budget that covers the cost of our contract with Municipal Resources, Inc. which does the field work needed to keep our assessments up to date. Many of you have met MRI’s Richard Dorsett who reviews all newly permitted buildings, new lots and new Current Use properties to assign them values.

Richard also goes over the applications from owners wanting an abatement of their previous year taxes. Abatement requests need to be based on some evidence that the property is assessed incorrectly. Richard reviews the request, sometimes meets with the owner and then makes a recommendation for the Selectmen’s approval.

Assessing itself has become a process based on values tables based on market data all contained in computer programs. The role of our office and MRI is to make sure what’s actually on the ground is represented fairly within those criteria.

Other Town business for April was pretty straightforward: a few building permits, a few Intents to Cut and our two annual Intents to Excavate which permit the Balla and Tory Hill sand pits. The Highway Department has been everywhere at once, ditching on Beryl Mountain and Cobb Hill Roads, overseeing the addition of fill from DOT for the old landfill, helping the Library finalize its septic repair and attending workshops.

During the last week of April the Highway Department began work on the Charlestown Road fire pond. They repaired and upgraded the access road, drained the pond with the assistance of the Fire Department and have been dredging the sides and bottom of the area. To finish the job they will replace a pipe and install a new dry hydrant.

Planning Board members went to Alstead’s public hearing for an ATT cell tower installation and took in proposals for engineering assistance in anticipation of the receipt of an application for a tower on Gates Mountain. We were notified by ATT of a "balloon test" which was later cancelled due to weather conditions. This will be rescheduled. The purpose is to provide an opportunity to see the height of the proposed tower. A public hearing will be held once the tower application is received. As a Town we have a very short opportunity to express our concerns so watch for notices or speak to a PB member now so your input is part of the mix.

Just a note: Kristian Fenderson placed the plantings around the Town Hall in 2008. The plants are now well established and with our mild winter the forsythia has been beautiful.

Thanks everybody, Kathi Bradt

Acworth Highway Department Working on the Charlestown Road Fire Pond ~ Click to enlarge

Acworth Highway Department Working on the Charlestown Road Fire Pond ~ Click to enlarge