Anonymous said...
Publius please accept this as an article submission
WHO OVERSEES THE ASSESSOR
Not the DRA! Not the ASB! It You! (and me and other taxpayers)
This should be viewed as a reason to file for abatements and appeals as the BTLA recognizes that there are "problems"
BTLA DETERMINES THAT THERE IS NO EFFECTIVE AUDITING OF ASSESSING PRACTICES IN NEW HAMPSHIRE !
The following is a statement from (two separate) decisions from the NH Board of Tax and Land Appeals (BTLA) in regard to Avitar (contract assessor) asking to be compensated by the taxpayers (retribution) for their bringing a reassessment petition action before the BTLA.
Please read carefully for the nuances and acknowledgement by the BTLA that the “State” has “no comprehensive auditing procedures in place to verify that assessments are being performed correctly and accurately at the local level. “ Additionally, the BTLA presented to the Assessing Standards Board (ASB), in 2007, several cases of poor municipal assessing in which they took action. The BTLA presented no encouraging news to the ASB as to the state of assessing in New Hampshire. The ASB response has been silence and inaction.
According to the statement that follows, the burden of auditing and providing “checks and balances” falls to the taxpayers!
Beginning BTLA quote:
“The legislature has provided this process for New Hampshire taxpayers to challenge, on a systemic basis, the need for improved assessment equity throughout a municipality in addition to appealing their individual assessments through RSA 76:16-a or 17. While certainly petitions and appeals require municipal officials and their contractors to invest significant time, they are important processes for taxpayers to audit the assessing function entrusted to municipalities in the first instance. These RSA 71-B:16, IV petitions are part of the "auditing procedures" and "enforcement measures" to ensure equitable market related assessments as discussed, in Sirrell v. State, 146 N.H. 364, 374 and 384 (2001). ("[I]n 1999, no comprehensive auditing procedures are yet in place to verify that assessments are being performed correctly and accurately at the local level." The State must implement effective enforcement measures to ensure assessments are proportional.)
Avitar may believe it to be inefficient and troublesome to have to explain and defend how assessments were derived and calculated; however, our representative form of government requires that those entrusted (either directly by statute or indirectly by contract) with the important responsibility of assessing and equitably dividing the tax burden be responsive and accountable to those who are directly and immediately impacted: the taxpayers. By its very nature, a government with built-in checks and balances may result in some inefficiency; however, that is one of the necessary costs so that no one branch of government dominates and so that its citizens have recourse. See Opinion of the Justices, 141 N.H. 562, 569 (1997); Town of Littleton v. Tavlor. 138 N.H. 4.19, 423 (1994); and Foote v. State Personnel Commission. 116 N.H, 145, 148 (1976).”
Mr. Leon Artus
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ATKINSON's Vietnam HONOR ROLL as VOTED and PASSED by 2005 Town Meeting and re-approved at Special Town Meeting Sept. 12
EDITORIAL-
A voice of compassion, an example of fairness and reasonable government.
One who believes in the strength and comfort you, your children and your family can draw from good government leadership.
A person who knows Atkinson is our home -- our most important possession that must be preserved and protected through fair taxes and sound community planning and where our children must be safe to grow to become a new generation of leaders.
One who knows that the citizens of Atkinson are all neighbors with her leadership to be dedicated and responsive to all.
One who believes that when those from Atkinson have served our nation and honors are deserved, those honors must be given.
In Valerie Tobin, we now have a leader we know we can entrust with these responsibilities because they are part of her character.
It is our honor to endorse Valerie for election to Atkinson’s Board of Selectmen.
Just a note for those who wish to count the deer.
In January 08 this blog had 16,000 hits and 1,500 unique visitors (for the month).
In 2007 this blog had over 100,000 hits and 5,750 unique visitors (for the year).
In 2007 this blog had over 100,000 hits and 5,750 unique visitors (for the year).
EDITORIAL-
"I offer nothing more than simple facts, plain arguments, and common sense . . ." [TP, 1776]
We take no small measure of umbrage at such a hostile official act against this BLOG’s patron. Therefore, a timely Editorial comment is both appropriate and necessary.
Discussion of Atkinson’s financial direction, from any viewpoint, is fundamental and encouraged and we will always attempt to limit and correct errors.
However, Righteous indignation towards purported error of such inconsequential nature is not appropriate.
The ENTIRE car deal is problematic. If it was caused by poor judgement, improper exercise of authority, neglect or mistake or even specious reasoning, this will never trump the facts that the entire questionable transaction started and ended within a very small circle of confidants.
We find the entire circumstances surrounding the disposition of the police Cruiser highly irregular at the least and the "explanations" somewhat trifling and exhaustive of our intellect.
Mr. Consentino: It’s time to go. Being Chief of Atkinson’s Police Department is NOT a birthright. That is a fabled legend of yesteryear.
Historically in Atkinson, police chief appointments were made "under the hand of the selectmen" for terms of one year at a time, as was also the case in the beginning of Mr. Consentino’s assorted and discontinuous stream of appointments to this position.
Your only remaining credential established on a claim of indispensability has faded.
So time is neigh. Plan a graceful exit, Clean out your desk, Accept the gratitude and tearful sentiments from some. We plan no editorial recriminations. It is time. Thank you for your service, We wish you a long and happy retirement. Bon Voyage.
LETTER
"To All Atkinson Residents,
I am writing to ask for your help. A member of the Atkinson Police Department needs our help. I am here to ask for your help in Corporal John Lapham's fight for his life. As you are aware, John has been diagnosed with Leukemia. He has been once again hospitalized with an infection that is threatening his life. He is one of the bravest people that I have ever met. He has never asked of anything from the residents of the town. Now is our chance to step up and help both him and his family out. As everyone is aware John has been out of work for a few months. His family has been busy helping John to get better. He needs our help, and I am hoping that this town can step up to the plate and help. From the moment that I met John, I have admired him. He does alot, but never asks for anything in return. He has helped so many people in this town. I for one am one of those people. Please help him.
There is a fund set-up in his name at TDBanknorth in Plaistow. Any amount will help John, while he is out of work. It would be great if this town could help ease a burden off his wife.
Thank You
Also if anyone would like to send a card, please address it to:
John Lapham
c/o Dana-Farber/Brigham and Women's Cancer Ctr.
Inpatient mail
75 Francis Street
Boston, MA 02115
United States
Please show Corporal John Lapham, that this community can stand up and show our support to those in need. I for one, miss John and can not wait until he can get better and return to work. Please show him that we support him. "
5 comments:
In response to 2/16/08 4:43pm Candidates for the Stars
Mr.Artus,
How many were over assessed 500% or more? Is over assessment the selectmans direct fault? How many homes were sold for more than the assessed value during 2004? Please provide this info. I would love to see it. Where were you then? Is Valerie pre-qualified to become a selectwoman as your last post stated because she pledges not to push your agenda? I am confused with your position! Please explain.
February 17, 2008 12:26 PM
I meant 3:57pm 2/16/08
Campaigning, could it be illegal?
Did I read that 5 Percent of the taxpayers filed for an abatement?
Five percent of 2,999 tax cards?
Isn't the state average 15 percent?
Therefore, isn't 5 percent something to be proud it?
Sometimes Leon is hard to follow because he wants taxpayers to know everything he knows, and benefit by it.
What I do know is that we paid Purvis Assoc. $30,000.00 + in 2006 to do our assessing and perform an evaluation and they did nothing!
Their employee Ed Elcik, designated our Assessor, insisted to me in whispers, over and over that he didn't do any assessing nor did he figure any of the formulas necessary to do an evaluation in 2006. He gave me information on paper to support his affirmations.
I continued to press this information to the selectmen and got nowhere.
Purvis fired Mr. Elcik the night that they had to come down and exlain to a large group of taxpayers at the community center about the assessing job that they did for Atkinson. (1/25/07) I have it on DVD.
When Rod Wood, Purvis VP came down, as a result of citizens like Leon forcing the issue, no one at the town hall knew who Rod Wood was. He had never been seen at town hall by anyone.
He claimed Ed Elcik did the assessing. Then he began to say that he did some of it.
In truth, whoever does the assessing initials the field (tax) card in the specialized box. Neither Ed Elcik's initials or Rod Wood's are on the tax cards in 2006as having done anything.
Only initials on the card for 2006 were the lister/measurer,(the guy who came to your property). The only thing he has a state permit to do is list and measure.
It is as plain as the nose on your face.
I was and still am angry that we paid for something in 2006 that was never done and are hailing Purvis as doing an admiral job.
That is only the begining of what upsets me.
There is an extremely important election coming up. As important as fair evaluations are, folks we have much more important fish to fry at the moment.
All these entries regarding assessments are directing attention away from the problem at hand. The government of the town is broken. It needs to be fixed. One problem at a time please.
I think it is very telling that only one candidate has expressed their views here. The other two have apparently been unwilling to face the scrutiny Ms. Tobin has. You have to ask yourself why. No doubt, at least to me, their silence so far suggests they may be afraid of the questions that will be asked. And boy, I have a few.
We've also had one blogger attempting to suggest Mrs. Tobin is not fit to serve, because she may have some emotions. Phase it anyway you want, that is sexist and has no place here. I would think Margaret Thacher would have an opinion on that.
So, please, lets fix one problem before we go after another.
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