Tina talks to TRR

An interview with Highland supervisor Tina Palecek

By SANDY LONG

ELDRED, NY — Officials from the Town of Highland recently visited officials in Albany to address matters concerning the town. Learn why and what transpired in the following interview.

TRR: What was the purpose of your trip to Albany?

Tina Palecek (TP): To discuss several issues regarding the Town of Highland’s assessments and to deliver the signed petitions circulated during my campaign and also by various individuals and businesses throughout Highland in the summer and fall of 2007.

TRR: Who did you meet with?

TP: We met with Langdon Chapman, chief counsel for Senator Bonacic; assemblywoman Aileen Gunther; Paul Miller, Tax Specialist, Albany Office of Real Property Services (ORPS); and Jeff O’Keefe, Chief Counsel, ORPS Regional Office, Newburgh.

TRR: What were their responses to your points?

TP: The majority of our meeting centered on our concern regarding the assessment process currently conducted in the Town of Highland; specifically “across the board increases” and significant increases each year. Attendees recognized the validity of our concerns and as a result, Senator Bonacic’s office has called for a review audit of our assessments for accuracy determination.

Also questioned was our current assessment program and if it accurately assesses our properties or if there is an issue with real property being assessed over full-market value, which could have serious consequences. That particular issue will also be addressed during the review audit.

We also questioned where specific authority lies in regard to determining the town’s Level of Assessment, because on more than one occasion there have been questions regarding this topic. Those in attendance confirmed that only the town board has the authority to determine the Level of Assessment.

TRR: What was accomplished?

TP: The biggest accomplishment was the opportunity to meet one-on-one with upper-management personnel of ORPS and our elected representatives to present and express our questions and frustrations regarding the issue of assessments.

Nearly every citizen I have spoken with has expressed concern regarding assessments. It was important for me to make this meeting happen so I could question those who make key decisions directly and try to get answers for the Town of Highland. Our elected representatives, as well as the ORPS personnel, were very receptive and equally concerned with our current situation. I have already received a letter from Senator Bonacic’s office assuring me action will be taken.

We also asked that an alternate funding source be found for school taxes. Senator Bonacic’s office did express their intent to try to find alternate funding.

During my campaign, I helped circulate a petition to residents of the Town of Highland regarding assessments; through a cooperative effort, 437 signatures were gathered. I presented to assemblywoman Gunther and Senator Bonacic’s counsel those petitions. Assemblywoman Gunther was particularly impressed with the document and the impact of the signatures.

TRR: What happens next?

TP: I have set up a meeting on April 16 with John Wolham, Regional Director of ORPS, to review the issues discussed at the April 7, meeting. We received some good suggestions on how to make our grievance procedures more efficient, and I will forward those ideas to our Board of Assessment Review for consideration.

Additionally, I plan on taking action on some of the data received during that meeting which I believe will benefit our town. In the next few months, I will be looking at our assessments in general and seeking additional meetings with Albany personnel whenever needed. This is an important issue for every citizen and I will work to resolve any issue that I can.