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Councilors press for review of Board of Assessors' composition during Penny appointment
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Summary
During Mary Penny's appointment discussion, councilors questioned whether the Board of Assessors' professional makeup (realtors, appraisers, attorneys) and lack of term limits adequately represent homeowners; Chair Moulton said the board has no term limits and recent members have been real-estate professionals.
Mary Penny's proposed appointment to the Northampton Board of Assessors prompted a focused discussion on Dec. 16 about who serves on the three-member board and how long members typically remain.
Chair Stan Moulton introduced Penny as a lifetime Northampton resident and a real-estate attorney who would fill a vacancy for roughly six months. Moulton described the board's functions as advising the principal assessor and hearing valuation appeals. He said David Murphy, chair of the Board of Assessors, had encouraged Penny to apply and endorsed her candidacy.
Councilor Rothenberg asked whether the board's recent pattern of appointing realtors and appraisal professionals suggests the board might benefit from broader representation, including lay homeowners, and whether leadership or membership rotation might improve public trust. "I think assessed values are so important to our constituents... We really need to be very thoughtful about how we're assessing these homes and making sure people can stay here," Rothenberg said.
Councilor LaBarge said she has no objection to the candidate's qualifications but disclosed a familial relationship with the appointee, stating Penny is her grandniece and that she has no business dealings with her. Chair Moulton stated, as recorded in the meeting, that there are currently no term limits for the Board of Assessors.
The committee did not adopt any structural changes during the session; members asked staff to follow up on details such as whether the board maintains public minutes and how leadership rotation has historically worked. The committee then voted unanimously to forward a positive recommendation for Penny to the full City Council for confirmation on Dec. 19.
Next steps: staff will place the recommendation on the Dec. 19 agenda; councilors voiced interest in returning to the question of membership mix and term limits in a future discussion if warranted.
