Swansea public meetings in 2021
20 substantive meetings from 2021, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
Board Of Assessors
The Board of Assessors is meeting to handle routine business including approving minutes, signing vouchers, and setting the tax rate. They will also hold an executive session to discuss abatements, exemptions, and Appellate Tax Board matters, which are legally exempt from public discussion.
- Tax rate setting under New Business
- Executive session on abatements & exemptions per G.L. c.30A Sec 21(a)(7) and G.L. c. 59, Section 60
- Executive session on ATB matters per G.L. c. 30A Section 21(a)(3)
Board Of Assessors
The Board of Assessors will conduct tax classification hearings and review certification status. The meeting also includes an executive session to discuss abatements, exemptions, and ATB matters.
- Tax Classification Hearings
- Review of Abatements & Exemptions
- Review of ATB matters
The Board of Assessors met with two members present and approved the regular minutes of November 3, 2021. All appropriate vouchers and documents were signed. The state certification from DOR has not yet been received. The Board discussed tax classification hearings, noting the Selectmen will consider their recommendation.
- Approved regular minutes of November 3, 2021 as presented
- Signed all appropriate vouchers and documents
- Discussed tax classification hearings with Selectmen and Water Commissioners
- Set a next meeting date
- Adjourned at 3:37 P.M.
Cancelled Meeting
This meeting of the Swansea Board of Assessors was cancelled. The agenda shows routine items like minutes approval, vouchers, and an executive session to discuss abatements and ATB matters, but no decisions were made.
- Meeting cancelled
- Agenda included executive session for abatements and exemptions
- Agenda included review of ATB matters
Board Of Assessors
The Board of Assessors will meet to conduct tax classification hearings and review meeting minutes. The board will also meet in executive session to discuss abatements, exemptions, and ATB matters.
- Tax Classification Hearings
- Review of Abatements & Exemptions
- Review of ATB matters
The Swansea Board of Assessors met on November 3, 2021, and signed all appropriate vouchers and documents. The board deferred approval of the minutes from September 22 and October 14, 2021. No substantive decisions were made; the meeting focused on administrative tasks and preparations for upcoming tax classification hearings.
- Signed all appropriate vouchers and documents
- Deferred approval of September 22 and October 14 minutes
Board Of Assessors
The Swansea Board of Assessors will hold a routine meeting to approve minutes, sign vouchers, and certify the status of property assessments. The agenda includes standard procedural items and an executive session to discuss specific tax abatements and exemptions. No specific new ordinances, contracts, or rezonings are listed on the agenda.
- Certification Status of property assessments
- Executive session to discuss Abatements & Exemptions per submitted list
- Executive session to review ATB matters
- Approval of meeting minutes
- Signing of vouchers and payroll
The Board of Assessors approved the preliminary certification and signed all vouchers. They also approved the September 15, 2021 minutes and granted the Principal Assessor authorization to sign Gateway reporting forms. The September 22 minutes were deferred for amendment, and an inquiry on Map 31-Lot 2 will be followed up.
- Approved preliminary certification (unanimous)
- Signed all appropriate vouchers and documents (unanimous)
- Approved September 15, 2021 regular minutes (majority vote)
- Deferred September 22, 2021 minutes for amendment
- Granted Principal Assessor authorization for Gateway reporting signatures (unanimous)
Board Of Assessors
The Swansea Board of Assessors interviewed two candidates for Principal Assessor and voted to offer the position to Sheila Scaduto, subject to negotiations with the Town Administrator. The minutes of September 15, 2021 were deferred. No other substantive decisions were made.
- Offered Principal Assessor position to Sheila Scaduto, subject to negotiations with Town Administrator (majority vote)
- Deferred approval of September 15, 2021 minutes
Board Of Assessors
The Board of Assessors is meeting to handle routine business including minutes, vouchers, and payroll, with updates on the principal assessor search and union discussions on job descriptions. The board will also enter executive session to discuss abatements, exemptions, and Appellate Tax Board matters, which are confidential by law.
- Update on Principal Assessor search
- Update on union meeting regarding job descriptions
- Executive session on abatements & exemptions per submitted list
- Executive session on ATB matters per submitted list
The Swansea Board of Assessors met on September 15, 2021, and approved the regular and executive session minutes from July 21 and August 11, 2021. The board discussed the ongoing search for a Principal Assessor, with plans to interview two candidates, and received an update on a union meeting regarding the job description, with no immediate changes. No other substantive decisions were made.
- Approved regular minutes of July 21, 2021 (majority vote)
- Approved executive session minutes of July 21, 2021 (majority vote)
- Approved regular minutes of August 11, 2021 (majority vote)
- Approved executive session minutes of August 11, 2021 (majority vote)
- Signed all appropriate vouchers and documents
Cancelled Meeting
This meeting of the Swansea Board of Assessors was cancelled. The agenda included routine items such as minutes approval, vouchers, and an update on the Principal Assessor search, but no decisions were made.
- Meeting cancelled
- Agenda included update on Principal Assessor search
- Discussion of abatements and exemptions per submitted list
- Review of ATB matters per submitted list
Board Of Assessors
The Board of Assessors will meet to approve previous meeting minutes and receive an update on the Principal Assessor search. The board will also hold an executive session to discuss abatements, exemptions, and ATB matters.
- Update on Principal Assessor search
- Discussion of Abatements & Exemptions
- Review of ATB matters
The Board of Assessors voted to enter executive session to discuss abatements, exemptions, and ATB matters, then returned to regular session. They approved the August 4, 2021 meeting minutes and deferred the July 21, 2021 minutes. The Board approved updating the principal assessor job description with a salary range of $85,000 to $95,000, and the town administrator will post the position with a two-week application deadline.
- Approved motion to enter executive session for abatements, exemptions, and ATB matters (2-0)
- Approved regular meeting minutes of August 4, 2021 (2-0)
- Deferred approval of July 21, 2021 meeting minutes
- Approved updated principal assessor job description with $85,000-$95,000 salary range
Board Of Assessors
The Swansea Board of Assessors met and handled routine administrative items, including signing vouchers and approving minutes from June 30, 2021. The main discussion focused on the hiring strategy for the Principal Assessor position, with Town Administrator Mallory Aronstein suggesting options for forming a screening committee or having a board member review candidates. No final decision was made on the hiring process, and the board plans to meet again later in the month.
- Signed all appropriate vouchers and documents
- Approved regular minutes of June 30, 2021 (2-0)
- Approved executive session minutes of June 30, 2021 (2-0)
- Discussed hiring strategy for Principal Assessor; no decision made
Board Of Assessors
The Board of Assessors is meeting for routine administrative business: approving minutes, signing vouchers, and discussing communications. The board will also enter executive session to discuss abatements, exemptions, and Appellate Tax Board matters, which are legally exempt from public discussion. No major policy decisions or public hearings are on the agenda.
- Approve meeting minutes from 6/30/21
- Sign vouchers and payroll
- Executive session on abatements and exemptions per G.L. c. 30A Sec 21(a)(7) and G.L. c. 59, Sec 60
- Executive session to review ATB matters per G.L. c. 30A Sec 21(a)(3)
The Board of Assessors met on July 21, 2021, and signed all appropriate vouchers and documents. The board deferred approval of the June 30, 2021 minutes. They discussed progress on the revaluation, inspections, data entry, and new growth, and noted they will need one meeting in August. The board then voted to enter executive session to discuss abatements, exemptions, and ATB matters, and did not return to regular session.
- Signed all appropriate vouchers and documents
- Deferred approval of June 30, 2021 minutes
- Voted to enter executive session (motion passed majority, roll call: Silvia aye, Gray aye)
Board Of Assessors
The Swansea Board of Assessors is meeting to handle routine business including approving prior meeting minutes, signing vouchers, and reviewing property inspections. The board will also discuss the revaluation update, senior/veteran exemptions, and hold an executive session on abatements and ATB matters.
- Approve meeting minutes from 5/5/21 and 6/9/21
- Sign vouchers and payroll
- Discuss inspections for permits and cyclical inspections
- Review revaluation update and senior/veteran exemption
- Executive session on abatements and ATB matters
The Board of Assessors approved the regular minutes from May 5 and June 9, 2021, and signed all appropriate vouchers and documents. They also discussed updates on permits, cyclical inspections, and the revaluation process. The Board then voted to enter executive session and did not return to regular session.
- Approved regular minutes of May 5, 2021 (2-0)
- Approved regular minutes of June 9, 2021 (2-0)
- Signed all appropriate vouchers and documents
- Voted to enter executive session and not return to regular session
Board Of Assessors
The Swansea Board of Assessors is meeting to handle routine business including approving minutes, signing vouchers, and discussing old and new business. Key topics include the ongoing revaluation, inspection updates, billing file, and year-end budget. The board will also hold an executive session to discuss abatements, exemptions, and ATB matters.
- Revaluation update
- Inspections update
- Billing file review
- Budget year-end discussion
- Executive session on abatements and exemptions
The Board of Assessors signed all appropriate vouchers and documents, deferred approval of the May 5, 2021 minutes, and discussed ongoing revaluation and inspection work. They also signed an omitted property real estate bill and corrected a property classification at 0 Gardners Neck Road. The board scheduled one meeting in July and August and moved into executive session without returning to regular session.
- Signed all appropriate vouchers and documents
- Deferred approval of May 5, 2021 minutes
- Signed an omitted property real estate bill
- Corrected property at 0 Gardners Neck Road from commercial to residential
- Moved to executive session (majority vote, 2-0)
Board Of Assessors
The Board of Assessors is meeting to handle routine business including approving minutes, signing vouchers, and discussing office operations. They will also cover old business like mapping updates and revaluation, plus new business including a data collector job description and supplemental bills. The board will enter executive session to discuss abatements, exemptions, and Appellate Tax Board matters.
- Mapping update and revaluation discussion
- Data collector job description
- Supplemental bills
- Executive session on abatements and exemptions
- Review meeting schedule
The Board of Assessors approved vouchers and the March 31, 2021 regular and executive session minutes, with one abstention on each. They discussed ongoing revaluation work, office operations, and a data collector job posting. The board then voted unanimously to enter executive session and did not return to regular session.
- Approved regular minutes of March 31, 2021 (majority, one abstain)
- Approved executive session minutes of March 31, 2021 (majority, one abstain)
- Signed all appropriate vouchers and documents
- Moved to executive session unanimously (3-0)
Board Of Assessors
The Swansea Board of Assessors is meeting to handle routine business including approving minutes, signing vouchers, and discussing property assessments. They will also address abatements, mapping updates, revaluation, and permit inspections. An executive session is scheduled to discuss abatements and exemptions, as well as Appellate Tax Board matters, citing legal reasons for closed discussion.
- Approval of meeting minutes from 2/17/21 and 3/10/21
- Discussion of abatements and exemptions
- Mapping update and revaluation
- Overlay accounts and permit inspections
- Executive session on abatements and ATB matters
The Board of Assessors approved transfers of $250,000 to overlay surplus for the Water District and $600,000 for the Town, with letters to be sent to Tracy Jo Anderson for release of funds. They also approved an extension for Bear Mountain Healthcare's form of list until May 1, 2021, and eliminated the $5.00 minimum rule for motor vehicle abatements. The Board signed vouchers, approved minutes, and moved into executive session to discuss abatements and exemptions.
- Approved transfer of $250,000 to overlay surplus for the Water District
- Approved transfer of $600,000 to overlay surplus for the Town
- Approved extension for Bear Mountain Healthcare's form of list until May 1, 2021
- Approved elimination of the $5.00 rule on motor vehicle abatements
- Signed all appropriate vouchers and documents
- Approved regular and executive session minutes from February 17 and March 10, 2021
- Moved into executive session to discuss abatements and exemptions
Board Of Assessors
The Swansea Board of Assessors is meeting to handle routine business including approving minutes, signing vouchers, and discussing old and new business. Key topics include abatements, a mapping update, revaluation, and the start of cyclical/permit inspections. The board will also enter executive session to discuss abatements, exemptions, and Appellate Tax Board matters.
- Approval of meeting minutes from 2/3/2021
- Discussion of abatements and exemptions
- Mapping update and revaluation
- Cyclical/permit inspections start
- Executive session on abatements and ATB matters
The Board approved an extension for Swansea Ambulance to file the 3ABC Form until May 2021. They also discussed the 2020 revaluation, noting a preliminary average increase of 10%, and reviewed the mapping update and cyclical inspections. The Board moved into executive session to discuss abatements and ATB matters, and did not return to regular session.
- Approved the regular minutes of February 3, 2021 as presented.
- Approved the executive session minutes of February 3, 2021 as presented.
- Granted Swansea Ambulance an extension on the 3ABC Form until May 2021.
- Moved into executive session to discuss abatements and ATB matters; no return to regular session.
Board Of Assessors
The Board of Assessors will meet to discuss budget items, abatement updates, and revaluation processes. The agenda also includes a mapping update and the review of meeting minutes from February 3, 2021.
- Abatement update
- Revaluation discussion
- Mapping update
- Review of abatements and exemptions in executive session
The Board of Assessors approved an extension for Swansea Ambulance Corp. to submit their form of list until May 2021, passed unanimously. The board also discussed the budget, including a proposed increase of 8% to fund a full-time employee, and noted 36 pending abatements. No other substantive decisions were made; the meeting moved to executive session.
- Approved extension for Swansea Ambulance Corp. form of list until May 2021 (unanimous)
- Deferred approval of February 3, 2021 minutes
- Moved to executive session to discuss abatements, exemptions, and ATB matters (unanimous)
Board Of Assessors
The Board of Assessors is meeting to handle routine business including approving minutes, signing vouchers, and reviewing the budget. They will also discuss abatement updates and personal property inspections, and hold an executive session to discuss abatements and ATB matters.
- Approval of meeting minutes from 12/16/20
- Sign vouchers and payroll
- RRC personal property inspections
- Budget discussion
- Abatement update
The Board of Assessors approved its own fiscal budget of $235,907.55 and the Water District budget of $16,329. The board also signed vouchers, approved prior meeting minutes, and entered executive session to discuss abatements, exemptions, and ATB matters. No other substantive decisions were made.
- Approved Assessor's budget of $235,907.55 (2-0)
- Approved Water District budget of $16,329 (2-0)
- Signed all appropriate vouchers and documents
- Approved regular minutes of December 16, 2020 (2-0)
- Approved executive session minutes of December 16, 2020 (2-0)
- Entered executive session to discuss abatements/exemptions and ATB matters
Board Of Assessors
The Swansea Board of Assessors meeting on January 27, 2021, was cancelled because there was no quorum. Only two members were present, and no decisions were made.
Cancelled Meeting
This meeting of the Swansea Board of Assessors was cancelled. The posted agenda included routine items such as approving minutes, signing vouchers, and discussing old and new business, including personal property inspections, the budget, and an abatement update. It also scheduled an executive session to discuss abatements and exemptions and Appellate Tax Board matters.
- Meeting cancelled
- RRC personal property inspections
- Budget discussion
- Abatement update
- Executive session on abatements and ATB matters
The minutes record that the Board of Assessors meeting scheduled for Wednesday, January 20, 2021, was cancelled. No substantive decisions were made; the document is an official meeting notice with an agenda, not minutes of actions taken.