Mohan votes against Williams' reappointment
by JESSICA L. FINCH Associate Editor

Supervisor Satish Mohan hasn't said he won't reappoint Assessor Harry Williams, but for the second time he has voted no on a council member's resolution to do just that.

Council Member Bill Kindel's resolution to reappoint Williams passed, 4-3, but it isn't valid because the appointment of the assessor falls under the executive branch. Mohan has the sole responsibility of bringing forward a name, which then has to be approved by the board.

"Mr. Williams has received multiple awards in the State of New York in acknowledgement of his service in a very complicated and very demanding field," Kindel said.

Williams has been with the town since 1986, and his term expires Sept. 30.

During the meeting, Mohan said he wants to meet with Williams and has tried to call him once but the assessor wasn't in the office, which is all he said about the reappointment process.

Kindel said with the town in need of returning to 100 percent assessment and the school districts complaining of raised taxes from the dropped equalization rate, that Williams needs to be reappointed to turn around the problem.

"This man is critical to the process," Kindel said.

Council Member Michael McGuire, who doesn't usually speak out, questioned Mohan on whether he had a personal problem with Williams. McGuire added that he supported the reappointment of the assessor.

On Tuesday, The Amherst Bee received a classified ad seeking an experienced professional to serve as town assessor. The ad, as submitted by the Town of Amherst, will appear in full in the Aug. 29 edition.

Responses are due Sept. 7 for applicants meeting the criteria, including a certification by the State Board of Equalization and Assessment.