HARVARD — The only fiscal year 2009 budget item for the Finance Department that has sparked discussion is a request to hire a contractor to take digital images of properties. It’s a one-time cost, said Finance Director Lorraine Leonard.
Once the information is in, she said, the assessor’s office can use it.
Selectman Timothy Clark questioned why the town doesn’t have its own database collection system, as other towns do.
It would be useful for planning purposes, he said.
It would require a “trained person” to manage it, said Leonard. It’s “usually an issue for the land-use boards, not the assessor’s office,” she said.
Clark suggested initiating a meeting to discuss the matter further.
In addition to salary step increases, the cost of gathering actuarial information related to employee retirement is figured in, said Leonard.
“People are living longer and retiring earlier,” she said.
The town has no choice but to include it, she said. It’s a state mandate. — M.E. Jones
