Board of Assessment Appeals votes 3-2 to remove assessor from BAA email list

The Board of Assessment Appeals voted 3-2 on Feb. 20 to remove the town assessor from the board’s group email distribution list.

Member Celine, a member of the Board of Assessment Appeals, introduced the motion after board members reviewed whether an earlier meeting had included a formal vote. "My reasoning is simply that he is not an elected member...he does not need to be included on our communication amongst ourselves," Celine said during debate. The board first voted to add the item to the meeting agenda, then voted on the removal itself.

The board recorded the vote as Celine, Paulette and Carol in favor, with Kathleen and Peter opposed. The motion carried. The board asked staff to record the action in the minutes and notify the assessor’s office and chief of staff.

Board members who supported the motion said the change was not personal but intended to limit internal board communications to board members. Members who opposed the motion did not elaborate further on the record beyond their vote.

The action will be reflected in the meeting minutes and staff was asked to inform the assessor’s chief of staff that the board recorded the vote on removal from the BAA email list.

The board moved on to other business after the vote.