Listers Work To Reset Relationship With Contract Assessor

Relations between the Listers and Contract Assessor was the central topic of the Listers last meeting in September 2017, according to the draft meeting minutes. The two Listers present stressed their “willingness to work cooperatively with the Contract Assessor.”
The current tensions arose under the administration of former Town Manager Neil Fulton when he moved most of the appraising functions to a professional assessor under contract to the Town.  Mr. Fulton went so far as to remove the Listers desks from their Tracy Hall Office and renamed the Department to Assessor. The Listers, who are elected officials, felt marginalized, and appropriately so. However, in a way, the Listers dug their own grave by having a contentious relationship with property owners and by pushing litigation that lacked merit.
New Town Manager Herb Durfee has a fresh outlook and aims to bring civility to the relationship. As noted in the draft minutes of the meeting: “Durfee would like the trio of the Listers, the Contract Assessor and the Town Manager to put aside their differences, avoid saber-rattling and work together for the good of the Town in an attitude of mutual civility. All parties recognize that the Listers are ultimately responsible for the Grand List.”  Mr. Durfree did not want to amend the current contract to address specific issues in part because it expires in 2018 and conforms to the statute. He observed “the contract language should be no obstacle to the Listers and Contract Assessor working together productively.” The Town Manager plans to speak with the Contract Assessor when next in Norwich. Regarding any personality conflicts, Mr. Durfree recommended the Listers “take a gradual, conciliatory approach to this process.”