NEW SHARON – Ellen Grant gave up her job as town clerk and tax collector at the annual town meeting Saturday, leaving her seat at the officials’ table and joining the audience.
“I’m just ready for a change,” said the woman who has been doing the jobs for 12 years.
With her weekends no longer taken up by town responsibilities, Grant said she looks forward to whatever comes her way and to beautiful spring weekends. She was applauded by the crowd of more than 140 residents at the Cape Cod Hill School.
After the heartfelt and tearful goodbye, residents chose Rose Mary Eller, who served for eight years before Grant.
Interim School Director Bob Neal was elected to fill the remaining two years of Greg Webber’s term.
The salaries of the three selectmen were equalized at $6,000 each, up from $5,000, $4,500 and $3,500. The town clerk and tax collector got $1,000 increases for each of those positions.
Townspeople debated whether to raise $56,700 this year to pay for a property revaluation or raise it in three annual installments.
Selectmen suggested budgeting it across the next three years and hiring Hamlin Associates. Selectmen Russell Gardner said spreading the expense out would have a gradual impact on tax bills.
“We need to ease the burden on ourselves, because this evaluation costs a good amount,” Gardner said.
Residents, however, said they would rather see the revaluation done in a year, and many suggested it be done in-house.
Selectman Maynard Webster said there was not enough time or resources for a town officer to complete the job.
Voters allocated $56,700 for the work this year and decided not to hire a specific company now.
Nora Thombs was the moderator of the meeting.
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