The Assessor plans and monitors the appraisal and re-appraisal of all taxable and non-taxable real property located within the corporate limits of the Town. The Assessor may be assisted in making such appraisals and re-appraisals by mass appraisal companies contracted by the Town.
The Town Assessor shall be responsible for the fixing of assessed valuation for purposes of taxation on all taxable real estate and tangible and intangible personal property and for the preparation of an assessed roll and a tax roll prepared by the mass appraisal contractor for the Town in the manner provided by law and ordinances.
The Town Assessor shall be responsible for the vetting of the mass appraisal contractors prior to selection by the Town. The Assessor shall validate the mass appraisal contractor's computer models and associated algorithms used in the performance of the mass municipal appraisals of the Town's real estate for accuracy, validity and reliability. The Assessor will certify the veracity of the appraisal and reappraisal results provided to the Town by the mass appraisal contractor. The Assessor will ensure that the electronically established and maintained grand list held by the contractor is current, accurate, complete and reflects 100% of the fair market value of all taxable and non-taxable real property in Town.
There shall be a Board of Assessment Review consisting of three members appointed by the Council for a term of three years, of which no more than two shall be of the same political party. The members first appointed shall serve for terms of one, two and three years respectively. Vacancies shall be filled by the Council for the unexpired term.
The Town Council shall appoint an auxiliary member to the Board of Assessment Review for a term of two years beginning August 1, 1992. The auxiliary member shall sit as an active member of the Board when and if a member of the Board is unable to serve at any hearing and shall have the same powers and duties of the absent member. The Town Council shall fill any un-expired term of an auxiliary member whose place shall become vacant.
The Board of Assessment Review shall hear and consider the appeal of any property owner concerning the amount of his assessed valuation as determined by the assessor. The Board shall keep an accurate record of its proceedings which shall be available for public inspection.
If it shall appear that the valuation of any property has been erroneously or incorrectly assessed, the Board shall have the authority to order a correction. Such determination shall be certified by the Board to the assessor whose duty it shall be to make such corrections in the valuation as the Board may determine. If the tax roll has been certified by the assessor, he shall transmit the findings of the Board to the Council, which may cancel in whole or in part the tax based on such valuation in order to effect a correction.
The Council shall provide by ordinance for the organization and procedure of the Board of Assessment Review and for the manner of receiving, considering and disposing of appeals.
The taking of an appeal to the Board of Assessment Review or any action thereon shall not be construed to limit or restrict the right of any taxpayer to apply to a court of competent jurisdiction for relief from any assessed valuation or tax originally determined by the assessor or subsequently by the Board of Assessment Review.