Milford Town Clerk proposes tax collector position consolidation amid staff changes

The Milford NH Board of Selectmen convened on February 24, 2025, to discuss several key issues, primarily focusing on the future of the tax collector position following the recent resignation of the current tax collector, Kathy Dougherty. The meeting highlighted differing opinions on whether the responsibilities of the tax collector should be absorbed by the town clerk's office.

The discussion began with the town clerk proposing that the tax collector role be integrated into her department. She argued that this change would streamline operations and enhance customer service by creating a "one-stop shop" for residents needing to pay various town fees and taxes. The town clerk noted that historically, the roles of town clerk and tax collector had been combined for many years before being separated in 2004 due to concerns about election continuity.

However, the proposal faced pushback from other board members and the town's HR director, Karen Blow. Blow emphasized that the hiring process for a new tax collector had already been initiated, with a thorough review of applicants completed. She expressed concern that changing the structure at this stage could disrupt the transition and lead to inefficiencies, particularly given the current workload of the finance department.

The board members engaged in a detailed discussion about the qualifications and responsibilities of the tax collector role, with some members advocating for maintaining the separation of duties to ensure proper checks and balances within the town's financial operations. The finance director also contributed to the conversation, outlining the extensive responsibilities of the tax collector, which include processing tax bills, managing accounts receivable, and ensuring compliance with state regulations.

Ultimately, the board decided to proceed with the hiring of a new tax collector while considering the town clerk's proposal for future discussions. The consensus was to allow the new hire to settle into the role before making any significant structural changes. The meeting concluded with an agreement to revisit the topic after assessing the performance of the new tax collector and the overall efficiency of the town's financial operations.