The Town of New Hartford has an assessment problem that they acknowledge privately; however, publicly they "shove it under the carpet".  Our tax bill is based on the assessed value of our property; however, many parcels in our town are not even close to the "market value"--not only because the market value of homes has risen, but because the reassessment process was "flawed".  Parcels were indeed skipped in 2001 to 2004--skipped for no apparent reason.  Many parcels are not in the right "neighborhood code" because tax map numbers--not size, location, year built or any of the other factors that should be used-- were indeed used to determine neighborhood codes.  The assessment process is indeed very complicated to many people, but to further complicate the issue by incorrectly identifying and assessing properties in the Town of New Hartford is unconscionable.

The Town Board stated at the November 15, 2006 town board meeting that a committee will be formed to look at the assessment problem and work to find a solution.  Unfortunately, to date (April 21, 2007) nothing has been done and no committee has met--is anyone surprised?  It is only when every parcel is fairly assessed so that everyone is paying their fair share that any vote on spending can clearly become the "will of the people".   To tell residents that sidewalks are critically needed and yet ignore the fact that a selective assessment process determined the "market value" of homes in our town is rather arrogant particularly when our own Town Supervisor lives in one of those homes that seems to have been "skipped".  Mr. Reed, "cut the bull" and lets make sure that we get our priorities in order.