At Tuesday’s meeting of the Raymond Board of Selectmen, the board chose members to serve on the Board of Assessment Review.
The purpose of this newly created board is to review appeals from property owners regarding revaluation decisions made by the Board of Assessors (also the Board of Selectmen).
Candidates for these positions were required to be at least 18 years old and reside in Raymond. Although previous experience was not necessary, some interest in or understanding of appraisal, assessing, land use development, and planning was desirable.
During the past few meetings, the Selectmen have been interviewing the applicants. And at the July 12 meeting, after the last interview, Vice-chairman Mike Reynolds made a motion that passed unanimously to accept the following as members of the new board: Ray Kelso, regular three-year term; Mary Jane Vandersluis, regular two-year term; Brenda Tubbs, regular one-year term; Charles Miller, alternate two-year term; and Ada Brown, alternate one-year term.
Kelso, who is retired, has been trained as a mediator and arbitrator. He has an interest in real estate values and believes in the “importance of a fair and impartial review process.”
Vandersluis has lived in Raymond for 10 years. Currently employed as a Realtor, she previously worked for an advocacy group in Massachusetts. She feels both jobs have given her experience in negotiation.
Tubbs, a clerk in the tax department of a utility company, has an interest in assessing and real estate. Her background in the building industry gives her “a base knowledge of construction.”
Miller is currently a school administrator. Prior to June 30, he was the principal of Jordan Small Middle School. Miller says his strong points are “listening, using logic to deal with situations, gathering information, and conferring.”
Brown, who is retired, served on the Raymond Board of Selectman for the past eight years. She has an interest in real estate prices and has “been interested for years in the equalization of taxes in Raymond.”
The new Board of Assessment Review will begin their duties shortly with an orientation meeting held by Amanda Simpson, Raymond’s tax assessor.
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