MARSHFIELD – During the February 17 meeting, the Marshfield Select Board and Listers Meg Eberhardt and Kathleen Hayes discussed the need for a town-wide reappraisal of the grand list. Marshfield went without reappraisal between 2006 and 2022. In 2023 the town completed a full reappraisal.
The state of Vermont uses Coefficient of Dispersion (COD) values to determine when towns are due for reappraisal. The state website notes that the education tax is funded through a variety of taxes, one of them being the property tax, which is based on a municipal grand list. Most grand lists are not at 100% fair market value, which is why the state requires reappraisals. The COD is supposed to ensure that property valuations in a municipality are equitable and that they reflect the current fair market value.
The common level of appraisal (CLA) helps to determine that property owners with homes of comparable value, in different towns, pay similar education tax. When the COD values begin to differ above 20%, towns are required to reappraise. Marshfield is at 21.79% over the median.
Bobbi Brimblecombe, town administrator, said the town has sufficient funds to pay for the reappraisal. Part of those funds come from the state, which pays each year $8.50 per parcel to the towns. Starting in January of 2025, Act 68 requires all towns to reappraise every six years.
Brimblecombe said this requirement will place the burden of reappraisal costs onto towns. Under this new law, the amount the state provides for reappraisal costs may cover less than half the cost for reappraisal. Because of a dearth of appraisers throughout the state, Marshfield is scheduled for reappraisal in two years.
Listers Meg Eberhardt and Kathleen Hayes said the software currently used to feed data into the grand list is outdated. The listers use two different software providers for maintaining the grand list. One software program listers use is Computer Assisted Mass Appraisal (CAMA). The CAMA program calculates the value of a property. This software needs to be upgraded according to the provider.
The software program NEMRC keeps track of names, addresses, utility values, and property transfers. Brimblecombe explained that the NEMRC program is so outdated it frequently kicks administrators out. This can be especially challenging when someone wants to pay their taxes and the administrator can’t enter the program for 30 minutes. The software provider NEMRC recommended that the town change to cloud-based services. However, to do so, the town will have to pay a one-time migration fee of $750, plus an annual cost of $1,850 (based on the 2025 cost), plus an additional $20 per month for each person using the system. When the town is fully staffed this would cover six employees. Cloud-based systems do not work without the internet. The current cost of one of the CAMA providers was a one-time fee of $1,500; however, that company has been bought out. The new cost will be covered by the reappraisal fund.
Andrew Larosa, the architect hired by the town for 2023 flood renovations, presented floor samples and informational materials for the Old School House gym. Larosa and the select board discussed the durability and uses of each material, as well as acoustic treatment. Larosa presented a variety of design options for the tectum acoustic treatment. The select board and Larosa agreed that the Building Commission can provide ideas on the arrangements of the panels. The cost for the renovation has been approved by FEMA.
Conservation Committee member Bob Popp reported about the property around the covered bridge along U.S. Route 2. This 73.6-acre property is owned by the town of Marshfield and is approximately 60% open fields and 40% forest and wetland. Popp discussed the importance of conservation in these areas, noting that the habitat includes four rare species: the Eastern State freshwater mussel, Hayden’s sedge, wood turtles, and bobolinks. Popp emphasized the importance of delayed mowing in order to protect these species. The recommendation is to cut hay no earlier than May 20 and no later than July 24. Tim Maclay has been haying the fields at no charge but explained that adhering to the timeline restrictions could make it more difficult.
Committee member Ed Jalbert explained that the 26 acres of forest have been evaluated by an expert, who stated harvesting the wood is not economically feasible because of access challenges.
The open fields are divided into three sections. The maintenance of these fields and the bridge has been paid by donations. Brimblecomb said the late Rich Phillips was instrumental in the conservation of the covered bridge and helped the town acquire these donations. This fund currently contains about $5,500.
Committee member Lloyd Potter requested herbicide applications for one of the areas troubled by knotweed. Brimblecombe replied that there is no town policy on the use of herbicides on town properties. The select board and Nathan Phillips, Rich Phillip’s son, discussed the establishment of the group Friends of the Covered Bridge. This group of volunteers will not be affiliated with the town and must agree to request town approval of any minor plantings. The select board moved to approve the establishment of this group.
