ARTICLE 25. - TENURE OF TAX ASSESSOR; BOARD OF ASSESSMENT REVIEW
Part of the Code of Ordinances of West Warwick, RI.
The text
Sec. 1. - Tenure of tax assessor declared.#
Notwithstanding the provisions of any general or special law to the contrary the chairman of the board of tax assessors of the Town of West Warwick whether appointed or elected shall enjoy tenure of office with no decrease in pay and shall be removed only for good and sufficient cause.
(Laws 1973, ch. 70, § 1)
Sec. 2. - Prerequisite length of service.#
Any person appointed or elected chairman of the board of tax assessors before or after the passage of this act who shall have served a cumulative period of three (3) years, shall enjoy tenure of office with no decrease in pay and shall be removed only for good and sufficient cause.
(Laws 1973, ch. 70, § 2)
Sec. 3. - Termination at age [of] sixty-two [years].#
Such tenure so enjoyed by any person appointed or elected chairman of the board of tax assessors of West Warwick shall cease and terminate and all rights and privileges of tenure enjoyed in connection therewith shall cease and terminate upon the attaining by such chairman of the board of tax assessors of the age of sixty-two (62) years, and such chairman of the board of tax assessors shall thereafter continue to serve as chairman of the board of tax assessors of the Town of West Warwick at the will of the town council of the Town of West Warwick.
(Laws 1973, ch. 70, § 3)
Sec. 4. - Board of assessment review.#
Tax assessors shall no longer be elected in the Town of West Warwick. Upon the expiration of the term of office of the two (2) members of the board of tax assessors whose terms expire November 1976, there shall be a board of assessment review. (a)
Appointment and vacancies. There shall be a board of assessment review consisting of three (3) members appointed by the council for a term of three (3) years, no more than two (2) of whom shall be members of the same political party, and all of whom shall be residents of the Town of West Warwick. The members first appointed shall serve for terms of one (1), two (2) and three (3) years, respectively. Vacancies shall be filled by the council for the unexpired term. If a member of such board shall cease to be a resident, his office shall thereby become vacant.
(b)
Duties.
(1)
The board of assessment review shall hear and consider the appeal of any property owner concerning the amount of his assessed valuation as determined by the assessor. The board shall keep an accurate record of its proceedings which shall be available for public inspection.
(2)
The town council shall furnish to the board such clerical and other assistance that may from time to time be required.
(Laws 1973, ch. 70, § 4)
Sec. 5. - Correction of assessment.#
If it shall appear that the valuation of any property has been erroneously or incorrectly assessed, the board shall have authority to order a correction. Such determination shall be certified by the board to the assessor whose duty it shall be to make such corrections in the valuation as the board may determine. If the tax roll has been certified by the assessor, he shall transmit the findings of the board to the council, which shall cancel in whole or in part the tax based on such valuation in order to effect a correction.
(Laws 1973, ch. 70, § 5)
Sec. 6. - Procedure.#
The council shall provide by ordinance for the organization and procedure of the board of assessment review and for the manner of receiving, considering, and disposing of appeals.
(Laws 1973, ch. 70, § 6)
Sec. 7. - Appeal.#
The taking of an appeal to the board of assessment review or any action thereon shall not be construed to limit or restrict the right of any taxpayer to apply to a court of competent jurisdiction for relief from any assessed valuation or tax originally determined by the assessor.
(Laws 1973, ch. 70, § 7)