Board approves $380 transfer to fund DMV lookup access for assessment appeals

The Andover Board of Finance approved a small-budget transfer on April 8 to give the Board of Assessment Appeals access to DMV/VIN lookup tools that staff said they need for valuation reviews.

Liz moved to reduce the community garden line (account 603-890) by $380 and to increase a Board of Assessment Appeals training/access line (noted as TBD in the packet) to pay for DMV lookup access; Bill seconded. The motion passed on a voice/roll call vote with six members voting in favor (Bill, Liz, Heather, Nick, Louise and the moderator), and no dissent.

Board members had previously discussed the operational need for the lookup tool and whether the assessor would allow appeals access to the assessment system. Members agreed $380 (the figure identified during the meeting) was a modest amount and that it could be taken from the community garden line or the recreation commission lines; they ultimately chose the garden line. "For $380, I'm inclined to just give them what they need," one member said during the exchange.

The board noted the packet already printed for distribution would be updated by an addendum at the meeting or annotated front-page notes to reflect the small change rather than reprinting all copies. Liz said she would circulate the final presentation and confirm the exact target line number for the BAA increase (the meeting record lists the BAA target as TBD until staff confirm the internal code). The board recorded the motion and agreed to sort the printing/website updates before the town meeting.

Outcome: motion approved, 6–0. The board directed staff to update meeting materials and to confirm the exact account number for the BAA access fee so the transfer is recorded in the budget book.