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Saulnier becomes first woman assessor

By Sarah M. Corigliano

Assistant Managing Editor



EAST LONGMEADOW The town's annual elections results are old news now, but many voters may not know that the town's newest member of the Board of Assessors is also the first woman in town to hold that position.

Shortly after hearing her bid for the Board was successful, Christine Saulnier learned she is the first woman member of it.

Last Tuesday evening she attended her first Board meeting and said it went very well.

Saulnier, a town resident for 41 years, explained that she began her career in assessment in 1976, when she worked part time as a clerk in the East Longmeadow Assessors Office.

"On my own I went and took courses I found the work very interesting and challenging," she explained.

She was eventually offered the job of assistant assessor in Montague, where she stayed for 18 years. Through those years, she said she became involved in the Massachusetts Assessors Association, serving on the executive board and as president. She was also chair of the Association's legislative committee, promoting potential legislation to encourage laws that were beneficial to Massachusetts towns and the local tax process.

She retired from Montague in 2003 and has been working as a consultant with the Springfield Finance Control Board. She explained that she helps the Board to employ new people in the city's assessors department and helps "get the new team going in the city."

During a phone interview with The Reminder, she explained her newest job for East Longmeadow.

"Assessors are basically charged with locating, listing, inventorying and valuing all taxable and exempt property in town," Saulnier explained of her new position. "We must be uniform and consistent in our judgment so every taxpayer is treated in like manner."

Assessors also set the tax rate, which is voted on at Annual Town Meeting; conduct motor vehicle billings; and must remain knowledgeable of the different chapters of law relating to agricultural and forest land. Saulnier added that continuing education is very important for assessors, as they must be certified by Department of Revenue.

"It's a very intricate position and an important one in the financial wheel of the town."

The Board of Assessors meets twice a month, on Tuesdays from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Office staff can answer questions during business hours at Town Hall, but those wishing to meet with the Assessors should call to make an appointment.

In other election news:

Joseph E. Townshend was elected to the Board of Selectmen; Michael A. Perkins was elected to the Board of Public Works; Thomas B. McGowan was re-elected to a three-year seat on the School Committee; William M. Fonseca was re-elected to a one-year seat on the School Committee; Gregory M. Thompson was elected Library Trustee; Donald J. Anderson was re-elected to the Planning Board for five years; Chandler W. Newell was elected to serve on the Housing Authority for five years; and the Community Preservation Act ballot question received a majority "yes" vote.

Attempts to interview Selectman-elect Joe Townshend by press time were unsuccessful.