Tax Assessor

Functions

The main function of the assessor's office is to value all property in the municipality for tax purposes. The ultimate goal is to assess the properties so all property owners will pay their fair share of the revenue needed to finance the schools, municipality and county government. The assessor's responsibilities are governed by state law and monitored by the State Division of Taxation, the County Tax Board, and the County Tax Administrator.

Staff

There are two full-time employees in the assessor's office: Tax Assessor Joseph McKeon and Lydia Fariello.

Real Estate

The office is the location of legal documents concerning all real estate properties in the municipality. Deeds, tax maps, ownership information and property and identification information is all on file in the assessor's office. We keep track of all property transfers that occur, verifying the information on each deed and updating the ownership information as the deeds are received from the county clerk's office.

Additional Responsibilities

We qualify and process all tax deductions and tax exemptions that are offered by the state to residents as well as tax exempt organizations. We inspect and evaluate all farmland properties. We keep the tax, water and sewer billing records updated so the bills are routed to the proper destination. We keep the tax maps updated, adding subdivisions, lot line adjustments, new easements or other changes to the boundaries of the properties in the township. The assessor defends tax appeals to the County Tax Board and the State Tax Court. All new construction is inspected and valued for tax purposes, generating added assessment bills and increasing the total ratable value of the township.

We assist mortgage companies, appraisers and attorneys with closing information, escrow allowances and real estate market data. We also help other municipal departments with ownership information and property data. This department processes all 200-foot requests.