PARIS – Following an hour in executive session, the Board of Selectmen chose an interim assessor last week.

Carole Kelley of Windham replaces Kevin McGillicuddy, who resigned after the last selectmen’s meeting.

“She came very highly recommended by Maine Revenue Services,” Town Manager Sharon Jackson said. “I’m very impressed with what her credentials are, and I think she’s going to do a good job for us.”

Jackson said Kelley has 13 years of experience and was Windham’s chief assessor until her retirement in 2002. She is a certified residential appraiser and licensed Maine assessor.

McGillicuddy left the job in the wake of criticism over a recent revaluation, which he said would allow residents to collect the full amount of exemptions due them. He said the revaluation increased the town’s value by about $83 million.

Jackson said the increased value has led some residents to have higher taxes, although others have seen no change or even a drop in theirs. She said she had received less than 200 complaints from 2,854 tax bills mailed out.

However, that didn’t stop a large crowd from packing the town office on Sept. 10 to criticize McGillicuddy’s plan. He resigned after an executive session with the selectmen on that date.

“The values that have been assessed on property will stay,” Jackson said. She said Kelley would determine whether any abatements were needed.

Kelley has been appointed until April 1, 2008. She will work two days a week until Nov. 30, spend the winter in Florida and return in March. Prior to that time, a part-time assessor’s agent will be hired to work with Kelley and take over her duties during her absence.

Kelley will be responsible for communicating with taxpayers, conducting inspections and filing reports to the state.

Jackson said a letter will be mailed to all tax accounts on a meeting to discuss the taxes.

She said the date had not been set as of Tuesday because she was still trying to find when a representative from Maine Revenue Services will be able to visit the town and when the fire station will be available.