Receiver of taxes urges referendum to make position appointed; board seeks public hearing

Candace Schmidt, the town receiver of taxes, described her office’s duties and argued the role is highly technical and better suited to an appointed, professionally trained position. She told the board her office processes roughly $13 million in property taxes for about 6,500 parcels and that she and a deputy staff the work, with peak activity concentrated in three months.

Schmidt said she would like to retire and recommended the board place a referendum on the November ballot to let voters decide whether the receiver’s office should be converted from an elected to an appointed position. Board members discussed legal mechanics and timing: the town cannot unilaterally convert the office; placing the question on the general election ballot would not cost the town additional money, while a special election would.

Members asked for a public hearing and community comment before moving the referendum; they also discussed appointment terms, whether an appointed receiver would be subject to a term or serve at the board’s pleasure, and whether hired staff would receive benefits. No referendum was scheduled at the meeting; the board requested a public hearing and further information about implementation mechanics and precedent.

Schmidt said her term expires in two years and that she has trained her deputy; she asked the board to consider whether technical complexity and continuity justify switching to an appointed office.