The Kingston Board of Assessors is moving to modernize the town’s property data ahead of a mandatory reevaluation, eyeing a new digital mapping tool to replace missing neighborhood records. Principal Assessor Mari Clark informed the board on Tuesday that the department currently lacks a formal neighborhood map, a state requirement for the upcoming revaluation process. To bridge this gap, Clark proposed a one-time $1,800 expenditure for an electronic neighborhood map overlay through Access GIS.

Clark explained that Access GIS can add an overlay to the online database so we can see the different neighborhoods and how they are laid out. She noted the tool would update weekly and provide a visual resource for other municipal offices, including the Planning and Conservation departments. This request comes as the board continues to navigate a tight fiscal landscape, having previously slashed $5,000 from its software budget earlier this year to mitigate rising vendor costs across the town.

Field work remains the department’s primary focus as they strive to meet Department of Revenue (DOR) inspection quotas. Clark and staff member Tara are prioritizing condominium inspections to ensure the town stays on track with its cyclical data collection. Tara and I will also be out trying to get a lot of the condos done to meet our quota, Clark told the board, noting that a contractor is also assisting with permit-related inspections. This push follows a period where winter weather had stalled progress on several outstanding DOR directives.

Legislative efforts are also moving forward, with Clark confirming the submission of a town meeting article regarding the local acceptance of Chapter 653, Section 40 of the Acts of 1989. The provision relates to the assessment of new construction. Clark noted that while the deadline for articles was Tuesday, the board had already voted on the matter and Town Counsel would finalize the specific wording for the warrant. The board also conducted a routine review of department expenses, including a one-night hotel stay for Clark’s upcoming professional development conference on March 31. The Chair spoke in favor of the educational value of such events, noting, You always learned something, plus there is the networking. Clark agreed, adding, when you have issues, you know who to call.

During a brief discussion on procedural matters, a board member lightened the mood by mentioning the Chair’s recent appearance in the community, saying, Someone said they saw you at the transfer station. The Chair confirmed he was there to sign nomination papers for a candidate running for the Board of Selectmen, recalling a long history with former town officials. I saw a real old friend who was an assessor or treasurer years ago... we were sitting having lunch after a funeral and got to talking about municipal politics, the Chair remarked.

The session concluded with the processing of March tax abatements, which included real estate, personal property, and motor vehicle excise accounts. These adjustments follow the massive issuance of nearly 14,000 motor vehicle bills in late January. Following the public portion of the meeting, the board moved into a closed session to adjudicate specific exemption and abatement applications. Motion Made by [Speaker 01] to enter into executive session, not to return to open session, in order to comply with Mass General Law Chapter 59, Section 60, to discuss exemption and abatement applications. Motion Passed (2-0-0).