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Stockbridge assessors discuss staffing, DOR filings and required coursework ahead of valuation work
Summary
Board members said July 7 that gateway filings for valuation (including LA-13 and revised/omitted assessment forms) are in process, that training (Course 101 and other modules) is required for sign-offs, and that a floating assistant position has been advertised to cover motor-vehicle and excise abatements.
At the July 7 meeting, a committee member told the Town of Stockbridge Board of Assessors that Department of Revenue gateway filings needed for setting the tax rate — including the LA-13 new-growth form and revised/omitted assessment forms — have been submitted or are being prepared.
"I did submit the oaths. I did submit, the LA 13," the committee member said, and described the purpose of the LA-13 as reporting new growth or revised new-growth information the town may have missed during prior valuations. The member explained the revised and omitted form is used when a major change or a completely missed evaluation must be assessed after the commitment cycle.
The member also outlined training and account setup on the DOR gateway, saying the board must complete modules such as Course 101 (assessment-administration law and procedures) before signing off on valuation work. The member said they had set up gateway logins and would email links and credentials to board members and that they had enrolled in a seven-hour continuing-education course to earn required credits.
On staffing, the committee member said Tammy will continue to handle excise work while the town recruits a floating/assistant position and that the ad for the position is active. The member emphasized the need for the new hire to be trained in SoftRay and motor-vehicle abatement procedures so the office has backup coverage, and asked that the job description explicitly include duties to conduct meetings and prepare minutes for continuity.
Administrative issues raised included missed website messages and voicemail routing after the town’s phone-system change; the member said they would work with the town IT staff to ensure messages reach the assessor office. The committee member also noted a new town tax-collector/treasurer hire will start "on the 20th," which affects when gateway accounts for that office can be created.
What’s next: The member said a sales-analysis and adjustments review is forthcoming and that more details will be available at the next meeting.
