Franklin Lakes July 25, 2012 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • Page 3 Cohen appointed as borough’s new tax assessor by Frank J. McMahon Franklin Lakes Mayor Frank Bivona has appointed a new tax assessor with the unanimous approval of the borough council. Jason Cohen was appointed to a fouryear term as the borough’s tax assessor at an annual salary of $34,268, for which he will work an average of 15 hours per week with 10 hours during regular business hours and an average of five hours per week that would not be during regular office hours. Cohen’s schedule calls for him to be in the municipal building from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesdays, and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Wednesdays. Cohen, who has been a vice president of Appraisal Systems for 10 years, will also continue in that position. Franklin Lakes Borough Administrator Gregory Hart advised the council that five candidates were interviewed for the position. Hart, Mayor Bivona, and Borough Attorney William Smith conducted the interviews. They found that Cohen has an excellent background in assessment at Appraisal Systems and all of his references were outstanding. “I’ve worked with him on the county tax board,” Smith said, “and I was very impressed with him.” Cohen has been employed by Appraisal Systems, Inc. since 2001, and he is currently vice president responsible for all aspects of mass appraisal programs and assessment maintenance throughout the state. A certified tax assessor and state certified general real estate appraiser, he is often an expert witness at various county boards of taxation. Cohen received a bachelor’s degree with honors in art history with a minor in economics from Rutgers University in New Brunswick. “I feel my experience, education, and skills provide excellent qualifications for the position,” Cohen wrote in his letter of interest to Borough Administrator Hart. “As a vice president of Appraisal Systems I manage revaluations throughout the State of New Jersey. In a given year I am involved with multiple municipalities and act as the agent for the assessor’s office throughout the revaluation process. Throughout my tenure with Appraisal Systems I have been involved in all aspects of assessing, including added assessments, tax appeals, and administrative issues. In addition, I have appraised tens of thousands of properties throughout the state for assessment purposes.” As part of his responsibilities, Cohen will perform field work when necessary and provide a full accounting for the work performed by him in the field to the mayor and council, indicating the properties reviewed and the time period for the review. In the event that he feels it is necessary to spend additional time in the field, he must apply to the council in writing and, where necessary, the council must grant additional field time to him by resolution. When requested in writing by the mayor and council, its agents or representatives, Cohen must provide any and all information related to the operation of his office. He must maintain any and all records required by state, county, or municipal authorities, keeping those records up to date and in proper form at all times. Signature work donated The Franklin Lakes Public Library was recently presented with a giclée painting by artist and Franklin Lakes resident Sidney Roberts. Roberts, an accomplished photographer and painter, donated his signature artwork, ‘The Great Falls, Paterson, NJ,’ to the library, where the work will remain on permanent display. Born in Yorkshire, England, Roberts has been influenced by the great British landscape artists such as Constable and Turner. His collection of fine art giclées are also influenced by his romantic vision of the impressionists. Roberts’ wife, Anne, is a member of the Friends of the Franklin Lakes Library. Pictured are Library Director Gerry McMahon and artist Sidney Roberts. (Photo courtesy of Samantha Cordaro McCoy.)