Notes from the Board of Assessors (BOA), October 24, Hybrid meeting

Present:

• Gary Pitney, Chair
• Doug Goudey
• Tom Stokes via Zoom
• Patrick White, Chair Select Board
• Michael Canales, Town Administrator via Zoom
• Peter Strauss via Zoom

1. Stockbridge has been granted the Preliminary Certification by the Commonwealth.
2. The next step is to make the Certified valuations public. For a two-week period, from October 23 – November 7, they will be available at Town web site, Stockbridge Library, Assessor's office, and in SU — click link above in SU FYI. In addition, 953 notices of past and current valuations were mailed.
3. Blay also wanted folks to know, you can call Assessor's office at any time
4. Stokes reported on the PILOT meeting. He said all went well, they will meet with SB on October 27th and he and Strauss were named co-chairs.
5. Public comments:
   1. Patrick White shared that he lives in a house co-owned by second-homeowner siblings as a second home so he requested that he not be considered eligible for any of the exemptions available to full-time residents should they pass.
   2. Goudey said it was one of many grey areas, and BOA should do some research
   3. White also shared that the valuations jumped so high that as SB Chair, he received a number of phone calls. He said, don't blame Town Assessor or BOA, they are just doing their jobs and are following state law.
   4. Goudey thanked White.
6. Blay reminded everyone that when the assessment goes up, the rate goes down. However, with valuations so high only so much they can do. There is latitude with the projected and actual costs.
7. White said there was more collected than anticipated in room and meal taxes and that would help a percentage point or two
8. The Chair announced that BOA will go into executive session.

Meeting adjourned.

Photo: Blue Moon Images/Dana Goedewaagen