ASSESSOR

Assessor's Office

Staff

Sheryl Keating

Anthony Toteda

Assessor

Clerk

 Sheryl Keating, Town Assessor

I would like to introduce myself to the residents of the Town of Putnam Valley. My name is Sheryl Keating and I have been appointed to be your new Assessor. I have lived in Putnam Valley for over 17 years and the past 5 years have been spent working in the Assessor’s office. When I am not at work or spending time with my two daughters, I volunteer for the Putnam Valley Volunteer Ambulance Corps and the Town Day Committee.

Assessors must be knowledgeable about valuation and current assessment practices and procedures in order to provide taxpayers with an equitable assessment roll. My knowledge of real estate comes from my experience as a real estate salesperson for over 15 years, working as the Putnam Valley Deputy Assessor and from formal training. I have taken over 150 hours of classroom instruction and have completed the Basic Certification Program for the office of Assessor.

I would like to give you a broad overview as to the duties of the Assessor. Taxes are the largest revenue for local governments in the State of New York. The amount of taxes a property owner pays is based on the value of that property. It is my job to determine that value. Real Property Tax Law Section 305 states that “all real property in each assessing unit shall be assessed at a uniform percentage of value.” Since the Town of Putnam Valley has a contract with the New York State Office of Real Property Services to do a reassessment each year, all of our properties are assessed at 100% of market value. In order to determine your assessment each year, your property is compared to similar properties that have sold recently and a value is determined based on those sales. A notice is sent to all property owners around May 1 of their new assessment for the upcoming tax year.

It is also my responsibility to oversee the collection and eligibility of all exemptions. Exemption applications will be taken by my office up to March 1, 2008. This deadline is strictly enforced by the State of New York. If you are not sure if you are entitled to an exemption or would like more information, please do not hesitate to contact me.

If you have any questions about your assessment or exemptions, I will be happy to answer them for you. I am available Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

- Sheryl Keating, Town Assessor