Essex County gets new real property chief

By LOHR McKINSTRY
Staff Writer

April 22, 2008 04:00 am

— ELIZABETHTOWN -- Lake Placid resident Bernard Roy was sworn in Monday as the new director of the Essex County Office of Real Property Tax Services.
Roy replaces Bernard "Barry" Miller of Keene, who retired.
County Clerk Joseph Provoncha swore Roy in as the County Board of Supervisors held its Finance Committee meeting Monday morning.
Roy, 58, said he appreciated the confidence the Board of Supervisors placed in him by elevating him to the top post. He had been assistant director under Miller.
"I want to thank everybody for their support," Roy said.
He said he's had a lot to do in the last week since taking over for Miller.
"There's so much running through my head. He (Miller) answered so many questions that I have to answer now."
The board is exploring contracting with Miller on an hourly basis for six months to answer any questions Roy might have.
Finance Committee Chairman/Supervisor Thomas Scozzafava (R-Moriah) said he's not sold on the idea of having Miller stay on as a consultant.
"I don't think we need to contract with former employees. That's no reflection on Mr. Miller. If we get into contractual agreements with former employees, that's heading down a slippery slope."
Supervisor Noel Merrihew III (R-Elizabethtown) said he thought Miller would contract only to help with Geographic Information Systems work needed by Real Property Tax Services.
Roy said he could see Miller's input as useful as he takes over the job.
"I thought it was a good idea if something major came up that he was aware of but I was not aware of."
The board will have a six-month contract for Miller drafted by County Attorney Daniel Manning III, to include a dollar amount, by next Monday's County Ways and Means meeting.
Roy will be paid $58,000 to start in his new position. He has been employed by the county for more than 30 years.
Scozzafava said that after a three-month probationary period, that would rise to $60,000.
"He (Roy) indicated to me $58,000 was somewhat low for the amount of responsibility he was going to be taking on."
The county had a salary study done that showed the average salary in northern New York for real-property tax director was $67,000.
As one of his first acts, Roy changed the office hours in Real Property Tax Service to 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., opening an hour earlier to accommodate consultants and assessors.
lmckinstry@pressrepublican.com

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