David J. Baird, MAA
Candidate for Board of Assessors (Incumbent)
It has been my honor and a privilege to serve the needs of the Town of Clinton for the last 9 years as Chairman of the Board of Assessors. I have been fortunate to serve with many dedicated, professional employees and elected officials over these past nine years. Most importantly, I've worked with hundreds of residents that have allowed me into their personal lives to help them in some way understand and tolerate the necessary burden of local taxation.
When I received the office in 1999, I came with a strong management and engineering background. As a Real Estate Investor and Property Manager, I've had extensive experience working in all aspects of Real Estate.
Within 3 months of my first election I enrolled for training and was certified by the Massachusetts Department of Revenue as a Certified Massachusetts Assessor. During my nine years of service to the Town, I've received a Massachusetts Construction Supervisors License in an effort to further my knowledge and understanding of construction and construction costs. After two years of training and 5 classes with the Massachusetts Association of Assessing Officer's I've earned a Massachusetts Accredited Assessor certificate (MAA). I am currently pursuing the Commercial Mass Appraisal (CMA) certification for that program, which is the highest accreditation in the state for Assessors. I have also taken six courses with the International Association of Assessing Officers (IAAO). In addition to these achievements, I am an active member in the Worcester County Assessors Association (WCAA), Norfolk/Suffolk Counties Assessors Association, Massachusetts Association of Assessing Officers (MAAO) and the International Association of Assessing Officers (IAAO).
During my tenure, I have written, sponsored and successfully passed many articles that promote local small business, in addition, these articles have raised the benefits for the Elderly and Military Veterans in the Town. I have had the pleasure of speaking at many local venues that support Senior tax issues and the tax burden we all share. I frequently consult with the Council on Aging and support their efforts to facilitate tax relief wherever allowed by law. I am very excited to have released our first version of the Board of Assessors official web site, it's value has been recognized immediately and it will continue to improve as time goes on.
There is no reason to sugar coat the upcoming Fiscal Year budgets. All of us in Local Government struggle to present balanced and comprehensive budgets to keep the fine line of cost/benefit as fair as possible. Fiscal Year 2009 is a revaluation year, if you continue to support me, which will be my fourth revaluation. In this unstable Real Estate Market, experience and discretion cannot be overlooked. The Department of Revenue continues to expand and complicate the revaluation process. Without extensive knowledge of Real Estate trending and statistical analysis, it has become nearly impossible to satisfy their stringent requirements. I am also pleased to report that the requested funds for the FY09 revaluation is only 25% of the initial conversion and revaluation in 1996. This years budget request will be one of the lowest of the 4 that I have overseen. I have been able to reduce the budgeted funds for revaluation as my experience in the Assessors Office has expanded, despite the additional requirements set forth by the Department of Revenue.
My wife, Ann (Grivakis) Baird, and I were born in Clinton. Ann and I have chosen to raise our children, David 9, John 8, and Rebecca 6, here and are proud to say that Clinton is our home. It is a wonderful town and I hope that it remains in the hearts of its citizens as a treasure of the area.
I ask for your support so that I may continue to grow and improve the Board of Assessors Office. We have made some great strides and have managed to control the ever expanding roll of this office without overburdening the taxpayers. Please continue your support by voting on May 5th.
Sincerely,
David J. Baird, MAA
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