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Town's assessing has turned into a folly

The town of Palmyra started its revaluation in 2007. I was present when the selectmen said the town was at 73 percent of its true valuation, according to the state. They also stated if the town fell below 70 percent, the state would force the town to go through a revaluation at a cost of approximately $100,000.

The option at that time was to hire a part-time assessor and a selectwoman to bring the town to a more acceptable level -- above 80 percent.

At the 2009 town meeting, selectmen said we needed to keep the revaluation going to do the commercial and industrial properties. The town has paid $31,380 to the part-time assessor and $10,075 to the selectwoman.

This past March at Town Meeting, voters approved another $20,000 for assessing and $2,000 for a new computer and program. The part-time assessor and selectwoman had told me and others at various meetings the town was above 80 percent of its valuation due to their work.

Recently, I was told the state has told the town it is at 73 percent of valuation. I asked about the 73 percent to selectmen at the July 28 meeting and was told it was true.

So now, we have expended through 2010 approximately $63,455 to arrive at the same valuation. For another $36,545, we could have had a competent firm do a revaluation of the town.

It's time to end this folly of a part-time assessor and selectwoman, who albeit well intended, are obviously unable to do the job.

More residents need to get involved with this issue and demand accountability for this unacceptable use of taxpayers' dollars.

Donald Harriman

Palmyra