2006-10-02
GERALD A. VERGILIS*
KENNETH M. STENGER
ALBERT P. ROBERTS
THOMAS R. DAVIS
LOUIS J. VIGLOTTI
JOAN F. GARRETT**
VERGILIS, STENGER, ROBERTS & DAVIS, LLP
ATIORNEYS AND COUNSELORS AT LAW
1136 ROUTE 9
WAPPINGERS FALLS, NEW YORK 12590
(845) 298-2000
FAX (845) 298-2842
LEGAL ASSISTANT:
AMY E. DECARLO
CLOSING COORDINATOR:
SUSAN E. CAFFINE
www.Ysrp.com
e-mail: info@ysrp.com
POUGHKEEPSIE OFFICE
276 MAIN MALL
POUGHKEEPSIE, NY 12601
(845) 452-1046
NEWBURGH OFFICE
299 N. PLANK ROAD, SUITE 106
NEWBURGH, NY 12550
(845) 567-3783
KAREN P. MacNISH
KEVIN T. McDERMOTT
ANGEL I. FALC6N
ANTHONY M. DEFAZIO
JAMES P. HORAN
. ADMfITED TO PRACTICE
IN NY & FLA.
.. ADMfITED TO PRACTICE
IN NY & CONN.
October 2, 2006
Town Board
Town of Wappinger
20 Middlebush Road
Wappingers Falls, New York 12590
RECEIVED
OCT 1 0 2006
TOWN CLERK
Attention: Town Board Members
Re: Coordinated Assessor Program
File No. 12951.0808
Dear Board Members, as per request:
At the September 19th Board Meeting, I was requested to provide additional information
as follows:
1. Loretta Brunello' s qualifications - according to Gina Christiana, Dutchess
County Personnel Department, Loretta has only been approved for the
position she officially holds, Assessor's Aide, although she is currently the
appointed Acting Assessor. According to Ms. Christiana, we would need
to submit an updated application and Ms. Christiana will advise if Loretta
qualifies for such position. I am attaching Ms. Christiana's fax memo to
me of September 25th.;
2. Civil Service job description for a Town Assessor - see attached;
3. A determination of what the departmental responsibilities would be of the
joint assessor. Some Board Members were under the impression that the
joint assessor would have no department responsibilities. According to Joe
Ruggiero, that is inaccurate.
0:\ Wappinger\Town Board\Coordinated Assessment Agt\lO02061etter to Town Board Members.doc
Town Board Members
October 2, 2006
Page 2
By virtue oftitle, the joint assessor will necessarily have departmental
responsibilities in the Town. The responsibilities will include management
and guidance of staff, staff evaluation, staff meetings (see Town of
Wappinger Job Description attached).
4. The Town of Fishkill has agreed to provide the automobile as per last
Mondays Board Meeting.
5. See Salary Scale for the Assessor grade 8.
Very truly yours,
VERdOTENGER, ROBERTS & DAVIS, LLP
~~fuG P. ROBERTS
APR/so
Enclosure
cc: Hon. Joseph Ruggiero, Supervisor
Copies to home addresses of Town Board Members
0:\ Wappinger\Town Board\Coordinated Assessment Agt\100206 letter to Town Board Members.doc
TOWN OF WAPPINGER l
1999 WAGE AND SALARY STRUCTURE "B"
Annual Salary
(Based on a 35 Hour Workweek)
GRADE JOB TITLE DEPARTMENT MINIMUM MIDPOINT MAXIMUM
1 None $13.423 $16.107 $18.792
2 Data Entry Operator I (FT) Building $15.425 $18,509 $21.594
2 Laborer Rec./Sr. Center $15,425 $18509 $21.594
2 Tax Record Clerk Typist 'Tax $15425 $18,509 $21 594
2 Typist (FT) Planning & Zoning $15425 $18509 $21 594
3 Account Clerk Comptroller $17.745 $21.294 $24 843
3 Assessor Aide (FT) Assessor $17.745 $21,294 $24,843
3 Clerk to Justice (#2) Justice $17.745 $21,294 $24.843
3 Data Entry Operator I Water & Sewer $17.745 $21,294 $24.843
-
3 Deoutv Town Clerk (#1) Town Clerk $17.745 $21,294 $24.843
3 Deoutv Town Clerk(#2) Town Clerk $17,745 $21 ,294 $24.843
3 Secretary to PB & ZBA Planning & Zoning $17745 $21294 $24~
3 Tvoist HiJ1:hwav $17 745 $21J~. $24 843
I
4 Bookkeeoer Comotroller $20.414 $24,497 $28,580 I
4 Clerk to Justice (#1) Justice $20,414 $24,497 $28.580 I
4 Custodial Worker Suoervisor $20.414 $24,497 $28.580 I
4 Secretary to Supervisor Suoervisor $20.414 $24,497 $28.580
4 Typist Rec./Sr. Center $20.414 $24,497 $28.580
5 *Sr. Citizen Center Director Rec./Sr. Center $22.335 $27919 $33.503
6 Court Clerk Justice $25 465 $31,832 $38 198
Receiver of Taxes & Assess. Ta~_ $25,465 $31.832 $38.198
Fire Insoector Fire Prevention $25.465 $31,832 $38.198
Maintenance Mechanic Rec./Sr. Center $25.465 $31.832 $38.198
7 None $29.018 $36,273 $43.527
8 Assessor Assessor $33 080 $41350 $49.631
Building Insoector II BuildinJ1: $33.080 $41,350 $49 631
Zoning Administrator PlanninJ1: & Zoning $33,080 $41.350 $49 631
9 Comotroller Comptroller $37.725 $47,156 $56,587_
_. -.
10 None $42 996 $53 745 $64494
*Salary listed is for a thirty-five (35) hour/week position, current employee works thirty (30) hours/week.
Town of Wappinger - Wage and Salary Administration Program {Drafl8/25/99}
Page 27
I
/
\
TOWN OF WAPPINGER
2005 \V AGE AND SALARY STRUCTURE
Hourly Rate and Annual Salary* Ranees
* Annual Salary Ranges shown are based on a 35 Hour Workweek (1820 hours I year)
GRADE PAY TYPE MINIMUM MIDPOINT MAXIMUM
1 Hourly 9.17 11. 00 12.83
1 Annual Salary (35 Hour Workweek) 16,682 20,018 23,354
2 Hourly ____ 10.63 12.76 14.89
2 Annual Salary (35 Hour Workweek) 19,351 23,221 27,091
3 Hourly 12.33 14.80 17.27
3 Annual Salary (35 Hour Workweek) 22,447 26,936 31,425
4 Hourly 14.31 17.17 20.03
4 Annual Salary (35 Hour Workweek) 26,038 31,246 36,453
5 Hourly 16.60 19.91 23.23
5 Annual Salary (35 Hour Workweek) 30,204 36,245 42,286
6 Hourly 19.25 23.10 26.95
6 Annual Salary (35 Hour Workweek) 35,037 42,044 49,052
7 Hourly 22.33 26.80 31.26
7 Annual Salary (35 Hour Workweek) 40,643 48,771 56,900
8 Hourly 25.90 31.09 36.27
8 Annual Salary (35 Hour Workweek) 47,146 56,575 66,004
9 Hourly 29.01 34.82 40.62
9 Annual Salary (35 Hour Workweek) 52,803 63,364 73,924
Town of Wappinger - Wage and Salary Administration Program (DRAFT 8/11/05)
- 24-
Department 100 Assessor
Position 101 Assessor
TOWN OF WAPPINGER
JOB DESCRIPTION
JOB TITLE:
CIVIL SERVICE CLASSIFICATION:
EMPLOYMENT STATUS:
PREP AREDBY:
Assessor
Non-Competitive
Full-Time
AMTEK, 8/99
JOB SUMMARY:
Appraise and value all properties within the Town for the purpose and basis of collecting town,
school, and county taxes. Administer all laws pertaining to real property tax administration.
Manage the daily operations of the office.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
25% Attend public examination of assessments and defend real property values such as
Grievance Day, Small Claims Court, and State Supreme Court: review and perform
appraisals and inspections as required; attend hearings and represent the Town in all
proceedings and negotiations; process all necessary changes and provide updated
information regarding tax effect to the Town Supervisor and Council Members.
20% Appraise and value all real property within the Town including locating and identifying all
taxable property, taking an inventory of all taxable property, determining the extent of tax
liability of each property, estimating the market value of each taxable property using
appropriate methodology, and calculating the assessed value of each property.
20% Manage the on-going operations of the department, including providing direction and
training to the staff.
10% Perform various administrative duties such as data collection, communications to taxpayers,
and budget preparation and submission.
5% Review and make determinations regarding applications for tax exemption, including
completeness and eligibility.
5% Perform public relations functions: communicate with the public, appraisers, attorneys and
the local media; prepare public notifications and legal notices; hold public information
meetings.
5% Perform valuation of new subdivisions.
Position 101 Assessor
Page 10f3
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS (continued):
3% Monitor and validate equalization rate: check data used by the state; do new appraisals on
each identified comparable property; meet with NYS representatives to address issues and
concerns.
3% Calculate and certify homestead and non-homestead base proportions for both the Town and
school districts.
2% Perform lobbying activities to support favorable tax legislation including letter writing and
personal appearances in the state capital; support actions of the state assessor's association.
2% Attend County and State training and educational seminars in order to maintain a working
knowledge of Real Property Tax Laws.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:
The Assessor supervises a staff which includes the Assessor Aides and Real Property Data
Listers. Supervisory responsibilities include making hiring recommendations; planning, scheduling
and assigning work; instructing and training staff in proper work methods; checking and approving
work; conducting performance evaluations; and recommending salary adjustments.
PHYSICAL ACTMTIES AND REQUIREMENTS:
Ability to crouch, reach, sit, stand, walk, use fmgers, and talk. Ability to exert up to 10 pounds of
force occasionally, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
(Established by State Board of Equalization and Assessment)
EITHER: (1) (i) Graduation from high school, or possession of an accredited high school
equivalency diploma; and
(ii) two years of satisfactory full-time paid experience in an occupation
involving the valuation of real property, such as Assessor, Appraiser, Valuation Data
Manager, Real Property Appraisal Aide or the like;
OR: (2) Graduation from an accredited two-year college and one year of the experience
described in subdivision (I )(ii) of this section;
OR: (3) Graduation from an accredited four year college and six months of the experience
described in subdivision (l)(ii) of this section; or graduation from an accredited
four-year college and a written commitment from the county director that the
county will provide training in the assessment administration, approved by the
state board, within a six-month period;
Position 101 Assessor
Page 2 of3
85/25/2006 15:30
8454862185
D C PERSONNEL DEPT
PAGE Ell
\.;:)'15\'
080B
Dutchc:l, Caunty ~cr$(lnncl Dcpt.
~,~;;'~~li~::~~~l. .'.
· ::I~ni:nt~~~ji~llmmiiBUiu
To: Al Roberts, Esq.
Fax: 2982842
Date: 912512006
From: Gina K. Christian,\, PersoMol
Re: Assessor
Pig..: 3
[J Urgent
o For AeYi PIN
[J PIeMe C<<rwnent
CJ Pleeee Reply [J Plee8e Payde
.. ...... //
AI, ,/
I ~ ~thodMl5 $p8dftc:atIon fortt eltle of A8senor. /lis I mentioned to you on the phaM, J /
. ~ on.do~.MI. 8nNRo Is CNer 5}jIMI!I aid. PI_ autlmit." updailed appIic8tion (r'lClta, ~ forMa.
~~ IncHwllJ liIt.yOU knoW If she"... the q..UIIcat1ons fOr this poelllcn. !
... '. ....... (
'ltwas~:.tigto Y<<I- OOpa ! r
fU, - [xt m hlJ~ - nd I-
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........................
~9/25/2006 15:30
8454862186
D C PERSONNEL DEPT
FACiE 82
A~SESSOR
DISTINGUISHING FEA~B OF THE CLASS:
This is professional work in the uluation fot assessment of real property for tax pwposes and
the preparation of an annual assessment roll. Work is perfonned under the general direction of
the municipal legislature or the appointing authority. Supervision may be exercised over the
work of appraisal and clerical staj[ Advisory service is available from the County Director of
Real Property Tax Services and tho State Board of Equalization and Assessment.
TYPICAL WORK ACrMTIE~!:
1. Annually values and revallJes each parcel of real property;
2. Utilizes and maintains curr,mt tax maps and appraisal. cards;
3. May seek county advisory ;.ervices in detcnnining values of certain parcels;
4. Attends all hearings of the 30ard of Assessmen,t Review;
5. Makes changes in assessme,nts in accordance with law as directed by the Board of
Assessment Review;
6. Appoints and trains an actillg Assessor to perfonn as needed;
7. Attends the public examine tion of the tentative assessment roll at times prescribed by
law;
8. Receives complaints filed md transmits them to the Board of Assessment Review;
9. Prepares reports of aSSCSSII c:nt activities as rc:quirc:d by the appointing authority or the
State Board of Equaliutior. and Assessm.ent;
10. Provides school districts within the assessing unit a copy of'the current pertinent portion
of the assessment roll;
11. Supervises and trains appra isal staff members in the techniques of appraisal and
assessment;
12. Revie.....-s and makes determinations with respect to applications for tax exemptions;
13. Does related work as requil'ed.
FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGE. SKILLS. ABILITIES AND PE~ONAt.
CHARACTERISTICS:
Good knowledae of making an ap])raisal of types of real property which are regularly sold; good
knowledge of the theory, princip: es and practices of real property valuation and assessment;
good knowledge of residential ar ,d commercial building construction methods, rnatcrial.s and
their costs; good knowledge of laws governing the valuation and assessment of rcal property;
good knowledge of deeds and related property records; ability to make and revIew arithmetic
computations with speed and acC\lracy; ability to become familiar with computers and their use
in the assessmen.t process; ability ';0 establish and maintain effective working relationships with
the public, municipal offi.cials ar.d the Assessment Review Board; ability to plan work and
supervise the work of others; iutearity; tact; courtesy; good judgment; physical condition
commensurate with the demands 0 fthe position.
. "09/25/213136 15: 313
8454862186
D C F'ERso,'iNEL. DL:;,:;' i
FAGE 133
ASSESSOR (CQ:lt'd)
EITHER:
MINIMUM OUALIF~CA TION~!:. (Established by State Board of Equalization and Asse.,sment)
(1)
(i) Graduation from high :school or possession of an accredited high school
equivalency diploma, and (ii) two years of satisfactory full-time paid
experience i 1 an occupation involving the valuation of real property, such
as Assessor, Appraiser, Real Estate Broker, Valuation Data Manager, Real
Property Appraisal Aide or the like;
Graduation Jrom an accredited two-year college and one year of the
experience c escribed in subdivision (I )(ii) of this section;
Graduation lrom an accredited four-year college and six months of the
experience C escribed in subdivision (1 )(ii) of this section. or graduation
from an ace! edited four year college and a written commitment from the
County Director that the county will provide training in asseS5ment
administratinn, approved by the stAte board, within a six month period;
An equivale:lt combination of the education and experience described in
subdivision J)(ii) of this section, subject to the following:
(i) Ifth~, Assessor has been previously certified by the State Board of
Equaliza.tion and Assessment as a candidate for Assessor pursuant to
Subpart 188-3 of its roles, such certification is equivalent to two years
of the e:<perience described in subdivision (l)(ii) ofthi.s section ifit
has not expired.
(ii) For. :he purpose of crediting full-time paid experience, a thirty-
hour WE ek shall be deemed as full-time employment.
(Hi) Three years of part-time paid experience as sole Assessor or as
Chairm,m of the Board of Assessors shall be credited as one year of
fu11-tim: paid experience, and five years of partptime paid experience
as a me:nber ofa Board of Assessor shall be credited as one year. of
fuU-tim ~ pai.d experience. Paid part-time experience in excess of
these at lounts shall be credited In accordance with these criteria.
(iv) Volunteer experience in an Assessor's office may be credited as
paid experience to the extent that it includes routine tasks such as data
collecti. mj calculation of value estimates; preparation of preliminary
valuatic n reports; providing routine assessment informatIon to a
computl~r center; public relations; and review of value estimates,
computl ~ output and exemption 8:pplications.
(v) In un case shall less than six months of the experience described
in subdivision (l)(ii) of this section be 8c,ceptable.with the ex~tion
of collo' y training as provided for in subdivision (3) of this section.
OR:
OR:
OR:
RP020 1
ADOPTED:
REVISED:
(2)
(3)
(4)
11/23/77 & 05/1517:; (as Assessor I and Assessor II)
08/03/83 09/02/8:i 03/21/86 03113/87 (Combining Assessor A and
Assessor B)