§ 20-7. Establishment; powers and duties.

A. 

Establishment. There is hereby established in the Town of Brookhaven a Department of the Assessor. The principal executive officer and administrative head of such Department shall be the Assessor, who shall be appointed by the Town Board for the term fixed by law at such salary as may from time to time be fixed by said Town Board. The Assessor shall be appointed on the basis of his administrative experience and qualifications for the duties of such office and such additional standards as may be required by the Town Board. The Assessor shall be the head of the Department with the power and authority to appoint and remove officers and employees under his jurisdiction in accordance with the Civil Service Law and other applicable laws, except the appointment and removal of Deputy Commissioners, who shall be appointed and removed by the Town Board. The Town Board may appoint Deputy Assessors, one of whom shall generally act for and in behalf of the Assessor, at such salary and for such term as may from time to time be fixed by the Town Board, and who shall perform such duties as are vested in and imposed upon that office by the provisions of this article, by statute or by other lawful authority. The Assessor shall have such powers as prescribed by law and as shall be necessary for the proper administration of the Department consistent with applicable provisions of law. Before entering upon the duties of his office, the Assessor shall execute and file with the Town Clerk an official undertaking, if the same is required by the Town Board, in such sum as prescribed by the Town Board and in such form as approved by the Town Attorney.

B. 

Powers and duties.

(1) 

Assessment. The Assessor shall administer, manage and supervise the assessing of all properties for tax purposes, maintain all necessary records and review assessments on which formal protests have been made.

(2) 

Assessment roll. The Assessor shall administer, manage and supervise the maintenance and updating of the assessment roll by transfers of properties by deed and state reports pertaining thereto; process new districts, court orders, changes of zone, etc.; maintain records, make entry of all changes on the roll and compile valuations for the certification of the roll; prepare summary reports for all appropriate municipalities and public officials as needed; and notify taxpayers of any change in assessment

(3) 

Apportionment. The Assessor shall administer, manage, supervise and process apportionment of parcels of real property for tax purposes, make and record all required Tax Map changes and process all abandonments, condemnations and new subdivisions.

(4) 

Exemption. The Assessor shall administer, manage, supervise and process all applications for tax exemption, i.e., senior citizens, veterans, clergymen and all other organizations which qualify for exempt status.

(5) 

Information. The Assessor shall administer, manage, supervise and process all inquiries (personal, telephone and written) concerning property status with regard to ownership, location, etc.

(6) 

Special districts. All costs and expenses incurred by the Department or its officers or employees on behalf of a special improvement district or special Town project shall be charged against such district or project and paid from the funds duly appropriated for the purpose of such district or project.

(7) 

Fees. The Assessor may establish a schedule of fees to be collected by him for any service rendered in connection with the work of his Department and for which he deems it necessary to charge and to collect a fee therefor.

(8) 

Other duties; delegation of powers. The Assessor shall perform such other duties and functions that are prescribed to be performed by him in any local law of the Town Board or lawful directive of the Supervisor. However, the Assessor may delegate any of his powers to or direct any of his duties to be performed to a Deputy Assessor or other duly appointed assistant.

Amended 11-16-2004 by L.L. No. 37-2004, effective 11-22-2004