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Selectmen debate hiring QDS to clear assessor backlog; motion seconded but final approval deferred
Summary
The board discussed using QDS, the assessor‑software vendor, to input about 350 personal property tax returns after the town lost a DMV download file. A motion to authorize QDS was made and seconded, but the board deferred a final not‑to‑exceed authorization pending cost clarification and further information.
The Andover Board of Selectmen discussed options to clear a backlog in the assessor’s office on Feb. 9, considering a proposal from QDS — the firm that supplies the town’s tax software — and a competing offer from the Bolton assessor’s office.
Town officials said QDS offered to perform data entry for about 350 personal property tax returns from its Waterbury office at a reduced rate of $100 per hour, plus a $100 per‑day travel charge if staff work on‑site. Board members said the Bolton assessor had quoted roughly $110 per hour. The town also needs a motor vehicle data file recreated by the Department of Motor Vehicles after officials discovered the prior download was no longer available from the DMV site.
“John would rather have and believes that QDS will be able to sit there and input the necessary personal property tax returns,” the board’s representative said, noting QDS staff are trained on the town’s software and could perform the work remotely.
Treasurer Lisa Jablonski, who joined the meeting for the budget discussion, told members she is still compiling and updating the town’s financial spreadsheets but did not provide a final cost estimate for outsourcing the assessor work.
Board members questioned total costs when travel is included, whether the QDS team would train the new assistant assessor, and whether the work should be done in‑office to protect data continuity. One member proposed using a neighboring town’s assessor to save money; others said QDS could be faster and could train staff.
A motion to approve the QDS proposal was moved and seconded. After extended discussion about hours, travel, and training, the board did not record a final vote that night and said it would (a) request specific time estimates from QDS, (b) consider a not‑to‑exceed authorization, and (c) schedule a follow‑up meeting or special session with the assessor to clarify options. The board also asked the assessor staff to pursue recreation of the DMV file so remote work could proceed if chosen.
Next steps: the board will seek a written estimate from QDS with an explicit hours estimate and a recommended not‑to‑exceed amount before voting on authorization.
