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A longer term effort is to ensure buses used for nially to verify that the assessors are using correct off-cape tours are wheelchair accessible upon request. Mass Appraisal methodology and that its values Bob Wooldridge has been working with Jim Long, reflect full and fair market value. When the DOR is Karyn Wendell (a tour operator arranging tours for satisfied,the assessors are allowed to calculate the tax Mashpee Senior Center),CORD,other Cape Disability rate based on the budget and then issue tax bills. Commissions, and Massachusetts Office on Disabilities to ensure the wheelchair-bound can par- Fiscal Year 2012 saw overall property values in ticipate in these tours. At present, none of the buses Mashpee decline slightly by 1.3% as the Real Estate used are wheelchair accessible. The tour operators Market began to stabilize. Fortunately, various seg• claim accessible buses have fewer seats therefore the ments of the market have begun to show signs of prorated cost of a tour with an accessible bus is greater recovery. The Assessing Department continues to than other tours. Thus,an accessible tour price would work diligently in following these market fluctuations be less competitive making it difficult to sell enough to fairly assess properties to reflect any changes so seats to make it cost-effective for the tour operator. that all Mashpee properties are equitably assessed. Work continues. Suggestions welcomed. The Board of Assessors' areas of responsibility We encourage residents to notify committee include: members of any access problems they encounter. 0Real Estate and Personal Property tax valuations Many town and commercial projects will be getting 0Administering Motor Vehicle Excise taxes underway in the Spring. Making these issues known • Administering Boat Excise taxes as soon as possible will give appropriate individuals • Personal and Charitable Exemptions time to incorporate corrective action into their plans. 0Administering water, street and sewer better- ments Respectively submitted, Robert Wooldridge,Chairman The Assessing Department's charge is to: Michele Brady • Discover, analyze, and reflect the value changes Marilyn Farren that occur in the market Charles Maintanis • Regularly inspect each property to record spe- Kathleen Moore cific features of the land and buildings Patricia Parolski 0 List items such as size,type,and quality of con- Merton Sapers struction,number of rooms,baths,fireplaces,the Beverly Wooldridge type of heating,etc. • Inspect each structure in town at least once every nine years Report of the • Set the Tax Rate based on budget requirements Director of Assessing and valuations Real estate and motor vehicle excise tax levies To the Honorable Board of Selectmen and the account for a majority of the funds available to the Citizens of the Town of Mashpee: municipality. Efficient and effective assessment prac- tices result in a predictable tax levy which is essential The Board of Assessors values all Real and to maintaining town services. I would like to thank Personal Property within the Town of Mashpee as well the dedicated Assessing Office employees and as the Mashpee Water District. Values are determined as Members of the Board of Assessors for all of their of January 1 st each year. These values are based on the hard work and commitment to the Town of Mashpee, previous calendar year's sales. The legal standard is that all property is assessed at its"full and fair market value". If you have any questions or concerns,please That is,the amount a knowledgeable and willing buyer contact us or stop into the office and we will be happy would pay a knowledgeable and willing seller on the to assist you. open market. The fiscal period ending June 30,2012 is based on the assessment date of January 1,2011. Respectfully Submitted, Jason R. Streebel,MAA The Massachusetts Department of Revenue Director of Assessing (DOR) extensively audits the Assessor's Office trien- 28